India vs England Tests: A lookback at India's 9 test wins in England
The latest India vs England Test series clash is about to start in England shores . The 2025 Test series in England is crucial for both teams . While India is going through a transition phase post the retirement of 3 of their stalwarts, England is trying to smoothen their rough edges before they embark on another Ashes tour of Australia soon . We now look back at the 9 momentous test match victories for India on England soil.
Here's a detailed and chronological account of India’s 9 historic Test match victories on English soil, from the landmark first win at The Oval in 1971 to the modern triumphs in 2021. Each win is a tale of resilience, individual brilliance, and growing dominance in foreign conditions.
🏏 1. The Oval, 1971 – India's First Test Win in England
- Dates: August 19–24, 1971
- Result: 🇮🇳 India won by 4 wickets
- Series Result: India won the 3-match series 1–0
Match Summary:
- England: 355 & 101
- India: 284 & 173/6
Key Performances:
- Bhagwat Chandrasekhar: 6/38 in the second innings — a legendary spell that spun India to victory as he had the helpless England batters in a web
- Farrukh Engineer & Gundappa Viswanath: Key contributions with the bat.
- Ajit Wadekar (Captain): Led India to its first-ever Test and series win in England after this Oval test win.
Significance:
This win was India's first ever Test victory on English soil, breaking a 39-year drought. It was also a landmark series victory, showcasing India’s emergence as a competitive cricketing nation abroad. This win marked the first ever golden period in Indian cricketing history
🏏 2. Lord’s, 1986 – Victory at the Home of Cricket
- Dates: June 5–10, 1986
- Result: 🇮🇳 India won by 5 wickets
- Series Result: India led 1–0 in 3-match series
Match Summary:
- England: 294 & 180
- India: 341 & 136/5
Key Performances:
- Dilip Vengsarkar: Scored a glorious unbeaten 126 — his third century at Lord’s, earning him the nickname Lord of Lord’s. Crucial 69 by Mohinder Amarnath in 1st innings.
- Chetan Sharma: 5 wickets in the first innings.
- Kapil Dev (Captain): Strong leadership and sharp bowling. 4 wickets in the 2nd innings followed by a quickfire unbeaten 23 runs that sealed the Indian win after England threatened to make a comeback in the 4th innings .
Significance:
India’s first-ever win at Lord’s, the most iconic ground in world cricket. This win set the tone for India’s second series win in England.
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🏏 3. Headingley, Leeds – 1986
- Dates: June 19–24, 1986
- Result: 🇮🇳 India won by 279 runs
- Series Result: India won the series 2–0
Match Summary:
- India: 272 & 237/7 declared
- England: 102 & 128
Key Performances:
- Roger Binny , Madan Lal & Maninder Singh : 5 wickets for Binny in the first innings & 3 wickets for Madan Lal . Maninder Singh took 4 wickets in the 2nd innings.
- Kapil Dev: All-round performance with bat and ball. 3 wickets & a crucial 31 in 2nd innings .
- Dilip Vengsarkar: Outstanding batting performance with 61 & 102 not out on a challenging pitch showcasing high quality batsmanship.
Significance:
This crushing victory gave India its second Test series win in England. The bowling unit outclassed the hosts in seam-friendly conditions. India went on to win the 3 test series 2-0 .
🏏 4. Headingley, Leeds – 2002
- Dates: August 22–26, 2002
- Result: 🇮🇳 India won by an innings and 46 runs
- Series Result: Series levelled 1–1 (drawn 1–1)
Match Summary:
- India: 628/8 declared
- England: 273 & 309
Key Performances:
- Rahul Dravid (148), Sachin Tendulkar (193), Sourav Ganguly (128): A legendary batting trio showcasing their batting masterclass which started in bowling friendly conditions.
- Anil Kumble & Harbhajan Singh: Spun England out in both innings taking 7 & 4 wickets in the match respectively.
Significance:
India showed its batting might in seaming English conditions. This was a statement win for Ganguly’s men, reflecting their growing confidence overseas. The series was drawn 1-1 after England took the lead .
🏏 5. Trent Bridge, Nottingham – 2007
- Dates: July 27–31, 2007
- Result: 🇮🇳 India won by 7 wickets
- Series Result: India won the 3-match series 1–0
Match Summary:
- England: 198 & 355
- India: 481 & 73/3
Key Performances:
- Zaheer Khan: 4/59 and 5/75 — brilliant swing bowling. A masterclass by the left handed quick .
- Sachin Tendulkar, Ganguly, and Laxman: Key middle-order contributions.
- Dhoni & Karthik: Provided solid support with the bat.
Significance:
India clinched its third series win in England and first since 1986. Zaheer Khan’s mastery with the ball was the turning point.
🏏 6. Lord’s, 2014 – Victory After 28 Years
- Dates: July 17–21, 2014
- Result: 🇮🇳 India won by 95 runs
- Series Result: India led 1–0
Match Summary:
- India: 295 & 342
- England: 319 & 223
Key Performances:
- Ajinkya Rahane: Stunning 103 in challenging conditions.
- Ishant Sharma: 7/74 — aggressive short-pitched bowling dismantled England.
- Murali Vijay & Bhuvneshwar Kumar: Valuable contributions.
Significance:
India's first win at Lord’s since 1986, breaking a 28-year wait. Ishant’s hostile bowling brought back memories of the old-school pace attacks.
🏏 7. Trent Bridge, Nottingham – 2018
- Dates: August 18–22, 2018
- Result: 🇮🇳 India won by 203 runs
- Series Result: England led 2–1 (India lost the series 4–1)
Match Summary:
- India: 329 & 352/7 declared
- England: 161 & 317
Key Performances:
- Virat Kohli: 97 & 103 — captain’s knock in both innings setting up the game .
- Hardik Pandya: 5/28 and quickfire 52 — impactful all-rounder performance.
- Jasprit Bumrah: 5-wicket haul in the 2nd innings.
Significance:
India bounced back after two defeats, showing fight. Kohli led by example. Pandya's explosive all-round display was pivotal.
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🏏 8. Lord’s, 2021 – Famous Fightback
- Dates: August 12–16, 2021
- Result: 🇮🇳 India won by 151 runs
- Series Result: India led 1–0
Match Summary:
- India: 364 & 298/8 declared
- England: 391 & 120
Key Performances:
- KL Rahul: Century in the first innings (129). Rohit Sharma scoring a classy 83 .
- Mohammed Siraj : 8 wickets for Siraj in the match including a hostile 4/32 in the 2nd innings.
- Shami (56*)& Bumrah (34) : 89-run unbroken 9th-wicket stand in the second innings —their fiesty stand turned the tide.
Significance:
A fiery, emotional Test win. India’s lower-order stunned England and the bowling unit showed unmatched intensity snatching a win from a no result situation . A modern classic.
🏏 9. The Oval, 2021 – Rohit’s Overseas Masterclass
- Dates: September 2–6, 2021
- Result: 🇮🇳 India won by 157 runs
- Series Result: India led 2–1 (final Test played in 2022)
Match Summary:
- India: 191 & 466
- England: 290 & 210
Key Performances:
- Rohit Sharma: 127 — his first overseas Test hundred.
- Shardul Thakur: Quickfire 50s in both innings (57 & 60) + crucial 3 wickets.
- Bumrah: Game-changing reverse swing spell on Day 5.
Significance:
A balanced team performance. India proved they could win Tests with batting, bowling, and spirit — in England, against the odds.
🧾 Summary Table
| No. | Year | Venue | Result | Captain | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1971 | Oval | Won by 4 wickets | Ajit Wadekar | Chandrasekhar 6/38 |
| 2 | 1986 | Lord’s | Won by 5 wickets | Kapil Dev | Vengsarkar 126, Chetan 5 wkts |
| 3 | 1986 | Leeds | Won by 279 runs | Kapil Dev | Binny, Lal, Vengsarkar contributions |
| 4 | 2002 | Leeds | Won by inns & 46 | Sourav Ganguly | Dravid, Tendulkar, Ganguly centuries |
| 5 | 2007 | Nottingham | Won by 7 wickets | Rahul Dravid | Zaheer’s 9 wickets |
| 6 | 2014 | Lord’s | Won by 95 runs | MS Dhoni | Rahane 103, Ishant 7/74 |
| 7 | 2018 | Nottingham | Won by 203 runs | Virat Kohli | Kohli twin fifties, Pandya all-round |
| 8 | 2021 | Lord’s | Won by 151 runs | Virat Kohli | KL Rahul 129, Bumrah/Siraj destroy |
| 9 | 2021 | Oval | Won by 157 runs | Virat Kohli | Rohit 127, Bumrah/Thakur brilliance |
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