Winning a Test series in England has always been a formidable challenge, especially for teams from the Indian subcontinent. India, over the years, has made numerous tours to the UK in pursuit of cricketing success. Of the 19 Test series played on English soil, India has emerged victorious only three times, each victory a landmark in the nation’s cricketing history.
India’s first series win came in 1971 under Ajit Wadekar’s captaincy. Prior to this, India had played 19 Tests in England without a single win. The series began with two draws, but the final Test at The Oval saw India clinch a famous win, resulting in a 1-0 series victory. This win boosted Indian cricket’s stature.
Fifteen years later, in 1986, Kapil Dev’s team stunned England again. India won the first Test at Lord’s and the second at Headingley, securing the series before the final Test. The series concluded with a 2-0 win, marking the first time India won more than one Test in an English series, reinforcing the strength of Indian cricket in the 1980s.
India’s most recent series win in England came in 2007 under Rahul Dravid. After a draw at Lord’s, India won the second Test at Trent Bridge. The third Test ended in a draw, giving India a 1-0 series victory. This was India’s first series win in England in 31 years, echoing the 1971 success and cementing the legacy of Indian cricket in the 2000s.
In 2025, Team India, with Shubman Gill as captain, will aim to add another chapter to this history. The upcoming match will be highly anticipated. The question remains: can India achieve victory, or will England maintain its dominance?