The new World Test Championship Cycle 2025-2027 for England and India is set to begin on June 20 at Headingley. This is India’s first major assignment post Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli era, as the team led by Shubman Gill will have a blend of more youth and little experience, facing Ben Stokes' men in their backyard. Before the historic series begins, check what happened last time when India toured England for the 5-Test match series back in 2021.
A weather-interrupted First Test
The series began with a bang for India as Jasprit Bumrah’s 4-wicket haul restricted England to 183 runs in the first innings. This was followed by a gritty knock from KL Rahul in tough conditions in Nottingham, giving India a lead of over 100 runs. Later, Joe Root played a captain’s knock, scoring a 2nd innings century, giving England a target of 209 for India in the 2nd innings.
When things started to look bright for India, weather had its say as India, needing another 145 runs to win, saw Day 5 washed out completely due to rain. India’s dominance was unmatched in this match, as it was only the 2nd time in history all seamers managed to pick 20 wickets for India. Joe Root was awarded the player of the match.
Also Read: IND vs ENG Pitch Report & Weather Updates at Headingley, Leeds: India tour of England, 1st Test
India Conquers Lord’s again!
A bright day of Test match cricket was predicted at Lord’s as India opted to bat first in the 2nd Test. KL Rahul made history with a century knock, leading India to 364 all out in the first innings. In return, another Joe Root century helped England take a 28-run lead in the first innings. As the second innings began, the surface started to slow down and India managed to set a target of 271 runs for England. Defending the total, this is where the famous Virat Kohli quote was born: “for 60 overs, they should feel like hell out there.” Following the captain’s advice, Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah ran a rampage, taking 7 wickets together and bowling out England for 120 runs. India defeated England by 152 runs to take a 1-0 lead at the Home of Cricket.
England’s Dominant Comeback
The third Test moved to Headingley, where England forced India to bat first in overcast conditions and bowled India out for 78 runs, as India’s top order was exposed by excessive swing. England then posted 432 all out in their first innings, with yet another Joe Root century leading the team to a massive total. In return, India was bowled out for 278 runs despite resistance knocks from Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara. India fell, as England defeated India by an innings and 78 runs to level the series 1-1.
Also Read: Gautam Gambhir, not Test captain Shubman Gill will be in the spotlight: Monty Panesar
India wins the 4th Test
The 4th Test moved to The Kia Oval, where India batted first and were once again bowled out for a low score of 190. England took a 100-run lead, with their tail-enders saving the match in the first innings. As India came back to bat with a 100-run deficit, it was Rohit Sharma’s show, scoring a century, and a handy half-century from Shardul Thakur at number 7 propelled India to 466 runs in the second innings, giving England a target of 367 runs. England started with a 100-run stand between the openers, but once India got the first breakthrough, the rest of the team collapsed. India defeated England by a record 157 runs to take a 2-1 lead in the series.
England Level the series 2-2
A few days after the 4th Test, the second wave of COVID-19, which had gotten serious, led to the abandonment of the 5th and final Test match of the series. The match was replayed a year later in 2022 at Birmingham, where England won with a record chase. This Test match is where they truly showcased the Bazball era.
Series Draws 2-2 with Tail-End Heroics Stealing the Show
The historic series, which stretched over 2 long years, ended in a 2-2 draw. This series belonged purely to the bowlers not because of their bowling strength but due to the resilience shown by both India’s and England’s tail-enders in a few Tests, especially Shardul Thakur, who smashed two fifties. Jasprit Bumrah also took down Stuart Broad in a 35-run over stand, breaking the previous record held by Brian Lara. These were some major highlights of the last tour.
This time, the bowling remains the same, but India’s batting has seen major changes, with new faces and comeback players lined up to play in the first Test.
Stay tuned for more updates on the India tour of England 2025
