After a three-year hiatus, Team India is set to resume its Test rivalry in England, kickstarting their campaign in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 cycle. With a new, youthful captain and a squad brimming with fresh faces, the stage is set for a thrilling chapter.
However, touring England has historically presented a unique challenge for Indian teams due to the swinging conditions, which continue to test visiting batters. As excitement builds for the upcoming series, it’s worth revisiting India’s performances in their last five Test tours of England.
Close, But Not Quite: 2021 and 2018 Tours
India’s 2021 tour was captained by Virat Kohli and began with a rain-affected draw. However, they bounced back strongly with a memorable 151-run win at Lord’s, immortalized by Kohli’s fiery “60 overs of hell” comment.
Although England dominated the third Test, a stellar century by Rohit Sharma in the fourth put India back in the lead. Unfortunately, the final Test was postponed due to COVID-19 and was played the following year. A rejuvenated England squared the series 2-2.
In 2018, under Kohli’s leadership, India had a few moments of brilliance, notably their win at Trent Bridge. Kohli himself was the standout performer, amassing two centuries. However, the team faltered overall, losing the series 1-4. Sam Curran’s all-round displays earned him the Player of the Series.
Heartbreak and Humbling: 2014 and 2011 Tours
During the 2014 tour led by MS Dhoni, India managed to take an early lead after an impressive victory at Lord’s. Ajinkya Rahane starred with the bat, but India’s batting lineup crumbled in the remaining matches. Kohli endured a dismal tour, and India lost the series 1-3.
The 2011 series was even more forgettable. Fresh off a World Cup triumph, India entered the tour with confidence but were thrashed 0-4. The ageing batting unit failed to cope with England’s bowling, except for Rahul Dravid, who scored three centuries in a lone battle.
A Glorious Past: The 2007 Triumph
India’s 2007 tour under Rahul Dravid stands as their most recent Test series win in England. Despite starting with a draw at Lord’s, thanks to MS Dhoni’s resilience, India clinched a famous win in Nottingham. A draw at The Oval sealed the series 1-0, marking a rare high point for India on English soil.
This time, with history and pressure in equal measure, India hopes to turn potential into performance.
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