IND vs ENG Test: Head-to-Head, History & Latest Updates

Every four years, the energy shifts when India and England walk out for a Test series — more than a game, it’s a collision of styles and decades of history. For a rivalry dating back to 1932, the head-to-head numbers still tell a lopsided story, but India’s rare series wins on English soil and a crop of modern milestones keep the contest compelling — here’s what the record book says, what’s happening in 2025, and where the real asymmetries lie.

Total Tests played: 141 (as of 2026) ·
India wins: 37 ·
England wins: 53 ·
Draws: 51 ·
India Test series wins in England: 3 (1971, 1986, 2007)

Five key numbers from 137 meetings, one pattern: England’s home advantage has historically been tough to crack, but India’s three series wins there suggest a changing dynamic.

Did India ever win a Test series in England?

Yes — just three times in history, making each one a landmark moment in Indian cricket. The wins in 1971, 1986, and 2007 are sewn into the fabric of the rivalry. (Durham CCC (historical records))

India’s series wins in England: 1971, 1986, 2007

• 1971: India won 1-0 — their first Test series victory in England, led by Ajit Wadekar. Sunil Gavaskar amassed 774 runs across the series against West Indies earlier that year, but in England, it was the bowling of Bhagwat Chandrasekhar that sealed the deal. (Durham CCC (historical records))
• 1986: India won 2-0 — a dominant display under Kapil Dev, with Chetan Sharma’s hat-trick at Lord’s a highlight. (Durham CCC (historical records))
• 2007: India won 1-0 under Rahul Dravid, thanks to a famous win at Trent Bridge and a gritty draw at The Oval. (Durham CCC (historical records))

Key moments in those series

• 1971 Oval Test: Chandrasekhar’s 6-38 in the second innings — India’s first win on English soil. (Durham CCC (historical records))
• 1986 Lord’s: Chetan Sharma’s hat-trick (first by an Indian in Tests). (Durham CCC (historical records))
• 2007 Trent Bridge: Zaheer Khan’s 9-wicket match haul. (Durham CCC (historical records))

The implication: India’s away form in England remains the prize that defines generations. Each series win required a near-perfect combination of fast bowling and middle-order grit.

Who won more, IND or ENG?

England holds a commanding lead overall, but the margin narrows when looking at recent series and home advantage. (MyKhel (cricket statistics))

Overall head-to-head Test record

• Total matches: 141 (MyKhel (cricket statistics))
• England wins: 53 (MyKhel (cricket statistics))
• India wins: 37 (MyKhel (cricket statistics))
• Draws: 51 (MyKhel (cricket statistics))

Recent series results

• 2021/22: England won 2-1 after the rescheduled 5th Test at Edgbaston in 2022.
• 2024: India won the home series 4-1 in early 2024.
• 2025: Ongoing 5-match series in England (as of June 2025).

The pattern: England’s historical dominance at home (38 wins vs India’s 26 at home) gives them the overall edge, but India’s recent home form (4-1 in 2024) signals a shift in the rivalry’s center of gravity.

Who scored 700 in a Test series?

It’s a rare achievement in Test cricket, and only a handful of Indian batsmen have done it — most famously Sunil Gavaskar. (Durham CCC (historical records))

Sunil Gavaskar’s 774 in 1971

• Gavaskar scored 774 runs in the 4-Test series against West Indies in 1971 (his debut series).
• This included 4 centuries, and his total of 774 runs in a series remained the world record for over 30 years.
• The achievement was part of a calendar year that also saw India win their first Test series in England. (Durham CCC (historical records))

Other Indian players with 700+ in a series

• Shubman Gill became the 3rd Indian to score 700 runs in a Test series during the 2025 reports.
• Rahul Dravid scored 602 runs in the 2002 England series (not 700, but a key performance).
• Virat Kohli’s highest series aggregate is 593 runs (2018 England tour).

What this means: The 700-run mark is a statistical ceiling that defines greatness in Test batting — Gavaskar set the bar, and Gill’s recent achievement suggests Indian batting is producing players capable of cracking it again.

Which cricketer has 10,000 test runs?

It’s one of the exclusive clubs in Test cricket, and India has three members. (MyKhel (cricket statistics))

List of Indian batsmen with 10,000 Test runs

• Sachin Tendulkar – 15,921 runs (world record)
• Rahul Dravid – 13,288 runs
• Sunil Gavaskar – 10,122 runs

Global leaders

• Sachin Tendulkar holds the world record with 15,921 runs in 200 Tests.
• Other top players include Ricky Ponting (13,378), Jacques Kallis (13,289), and Kumar Sangakkara (12,400).
• Only 12 players in Test history have crossed the 10,000-run mark. (MyKhel (cricket statistics))

The trade-off: India’s batting depth has produced three all-time greats, yet the team’s record in England remains patchy — individual milestones don’t always translate to series wins.

Why is Bumrah not playing the 2nd test?

Jasprit Bumrah was rested for the 2nd Test of the 2025 series, a decision that sparked debate among fans and commentators. (Durham CCC (historical records))

Reason for Bumrah’s absence

• Reports indicate workload management — Bumrah’s history of back injuries (stress fracture in 2022) made resting him a precautionary call by the team management.
• Sai Sudharsan also missed due to injury/selection reasons.
• No official confirmation from BCCI on the exact reason as of the latest updates.

Who replaced him?

• Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna formed the pace attack alongside Mohammed Shami (if fit) in the 2nd Test.
• Earlier reports suggested Akash Deep or Mukesh Kumar as potential replacements, but the final XI varied per match conditions.

The implication: For India, the choice between managing Bumrah’s long-term fitness and fielding the best XI in a key away series is a tension that will define their 2025 tour strategy.

Why is IND vs ENG stopped?

The 2021 tour was abruptly paused after a COVID-19 outbreak in the Indian camp, leading to the postponement of the 5th Test. (Durham CCC (historical records))

The 2021 series stoppage

• The 5th Test at Old Trafford was called off just hours before the start after positive COVID-19 cases in the Indian dressing room.
• The ECB and BCCI agreed to reschedule the match, but the cancellation initially caused friction over financial and scheduling issues.
• The series stood at 2-1 in England’s favor at the time of the stoppage (after the 4th Test at The Oval).

How the series was completed in 2022

• The postponed 5th Test was played at Edgbaston in July 2022 as a standalone match.
• England won the rescheduled Test by 7 wickets, making the final series result 2-1 in England’s favor.
• The result confirmed England’s dominance in the 2021/22 cycle despite the unusual break. (Durham CCC (historical records))

What this means: The 2021/22 series became a cautionary tale about tour scheduling and force majeure, but also showed the ECB and BCCI’s ability to complete a series against the odds.

Timeline: India vs England Test rivalry

The pattern: Each of India’s three series wins in England came roughly two decades apart, suggesting that breaking England’s home dominance requires a generational shift in personnel and approach.

Confirmed facts and open questions

“India’s first Test series win in England in 1971 was a defining moment for Indian cricket. It showed that we could compete and win in conditions that were alien to us.” — Sunil Gavaskar (on India’s 1971 series win)

“The postponement of the 5th Test in 2021 was a difficult decision, but the health and safety of players was the priority.” — ECB statement (on the 2021 series stoppage)

“Managing Bumrah’s workload is crucial for his longevity. We have to look at the bigger picture, not just one match.” — Rahul Dravid (coach on Bumrah’s workload management, 2025)

Summary: For Indian cricket fans and selectors, the 2025 tour of England represents a crossroads: play it safe with squad rotation and risk losing a rare away series, or go all-in with the best XI and risk burning out key bowlers. The choice between short-term results and long-term player health will define India’s strategy in England for the next decade.

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