India and England have enjoyed one of the most iconic rivalries in cricket history, dating back to India’s very first Test match in 1932 at Lord’s. As two cricketing giants, both teams have gone toe-to-toe in some of the sport’s most memorable encounters across formats. While England historically held the upper hand, India’s rise as a modern powerhouse has brought more balance to the rivalry in recent years. Here’s a detailed look at the Head to Head record between India and England across all three formats of the game.
India and England have faced each other in a total of 275 matches across Test, ODI, and T20I formats. England has the overall edge in terms of victories, especially in Tests, but India leads in the shorter formats — particularly in T20 Internationals. Here's a detailed breakdown of their head-to-head performance.
England has historically dominated the Test rivalry, especially during the early and mid-20th century. Out of 136 Tests, England has won 51 matches, while India has claimed victory on 35 occasions. 50 matches have ended in draws. Despite England’s overall edge, India has secured several famous wins both at home and away, particularly in the 21st century.
India has the upper hand over England in One Day Internationals, winning 61 out of 110 matches. England has managed 44 victories. Three matches ended without result while two were tied. This shows how India’s rise in white-ball cricket, especially post-2000, has tilted the balance in ODIs.
T20 Internationals clearly reflect India’s dominance in the shortest format. Out of 29 matches played, India has won 17, while England has won 12. With stars like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Suryakumar Yadav, India has made a strong mark in T20Is against England.
While England has won more matches overall, India’s dominance in ODIs and T20Is narrows the gap significantly. The win percentage breakdown across formats reflects this competitive rivalry.
Although England has won more matches, India is not far behind, especially when taking into account their modern-day white-ball success.
England has a notable lead in the Test format with a win percentage of 37.5% compared to India’s 25.73%. The high number of draws also indicates the traditional nature of Test cricket played between the two sides.
India holds a strong advantage in the 50-over format with a commanding 55.45% win rate compared to England’s 40%. This dominance has grown over the years, especially during World Cups and bilateral series.
T20Is are where India shines brightest in this rivalry. With a win percentage of 58.62%, India has consistently performed well against England in the shortest format, both at home and in English conditions.
India and England have played a total of 136 Test matches with each other throughout their history, and England have had the upper hand winning 51 and India winning 35. Fifty Test matches between the two sides have ended in a Draw. Here’s a breakdown of the Head to Head between Australia and South Africa at different venues.
A total of 67 Test matches has been played between India and England in England and the home side has completely dominated the matchup with 35 wins. India have endured some very tough times while touring England as they have only won 9 matches in their history in England. 22 out of these 67 matches have ended in a draw.
India and England have played a total of 68 Test matches in India as well and here the scales are in the favour of the side from the subcontinent. Out of these 68 matches, India has emerged victorious in 25 matches whereas England have only won 14 Test matches. Additionally, 29 of these matches between India and England at the Indian subcontinent have ended in a draw.
The last time India and England faced off against each other was the beginning of 2024 when England toured India in a five match series. England started the series strong winning the first game by 28 runs and were close to winning the second game but it wasn’t to be as India completely annihilated the ‘Bazball’ approach and won the series 4-1. It was the last time these sides met and come June they will resume their rivalry.
India will head into the five match Test series against England low on confidence as they have won only one out of their last four Test matches. They lost the Border Gavaskar Trophy to Australia 3-1 in their last outing in the Whites and much like England there are doubts over the new look Indian side as well.
Much like India, England’s form in the last five Test matches has been concerning as well. They have only won two out of their last five Test matches, while lost three. Two of those losses came against Pakistan while the third loss was a mammoth 423 run defeat at the hands of New Zealand.
1. Sachin Tendulkar (India)
The ‘Master Blaster’ Sachin Tendulkar tops the run-scoring charts for India in Tests against England, having piled up 2,535 runs in 32 matches at an average of 51.73. Tendulkar’s technical brilliance and calm demeanor allowed him to flourish in English conditions, where many subcontinental batters struggled. His first Test century at Old Trafford in 1990, a gutsy unbeaten 119, came at just 17 years old and announced his arrival on the world stage. He would go on to notch up 7 centuries against England, including a masterful 193 at Headingley in 2002. Tendulkar's consistency and adaptability made him a thorn in England’s side for over two decades, and his battles with bowlers like James Anderson and Andrew Caddick were always a major subplot in the rivalry.
2. Alastair Cook (England)
England’s highest run-scorer against India in Tests is none other than Alastair Cook, who accumulated 2,431 runs in 30 matches at an average of 47.00. The former England captain’s ability to bat long and tire out bowling attacks made him a persistent obstacle for Indian bowlers. Cook’s defining series came in India in 2012, where he scored 562 runs in 4 Tests, leading England to a rare series win on Indian soil. His 190 in the Kolkata Test that year was a display of grit, patience, and precision. Cook’s calm exterior and textbook technique allowed him to master subcontinental conditions, and he left behind a lasting legacy in this historic rivalry.
1. Bhagwath Chandrasekhar (India)
India’s most successful bowler against England in Tests is the legendary leg-spinner Bhagwath Chandrasekhar, who picked up 95 wickets in 23 matches. Renowned for his deceptive googlies and unorthodox action, Chandrasekhar was a nightmare for English batsmen, especially during India’s tours to England in the 1970s. His crowning performance came at The Oval in 1971, where he claimed 6 for 38 in the second innings to script India’s first-ever Test win in England — a historic moment in Indian cricket. Chandrasekhar’s unpredictability and attacking intent set him apart, and he often played the role of a match-winner in low-scoring encounters.
2. James Anderson (England)
No bowler has tormented India in modern Test cricket quite like James Anderson. The Lancashire pacer has taken 149 wickets in 39 Tests against India — the most by any bowler in the history of this rivalry. Anderson’s mastery of swing, especially with the Dukes ball in English conditions, has repeatedly exposed India's top order. His battles with the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Cheteshwar Pujara have become legendary. A standout performance came at Lord’s in 2014, where Anderson took 7 for 42, showcasing his lethal ability in home conditions. Even in his 40s, Anderson continues to be a vital weapon whenever England faces India.
India registered their first-ever Test series win in England with a historic victory at The Oval. Bhagwath Chandrasekhar’s 6/38 helped bowl England out for just 101, as India chased down 173 with ease. This win marked a turning point in Indian cricket, announcing them as a competitive force in world cricket.
India stunned England in Leeds, posting a mammoth 628/8 declared, powered by centuries from Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, and Sourav Ganguly. Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh then spun India to an emphatic win. The match was a showcase of India’s growing dominance away from home and their capacity to win Tests in challenging conditions.
England achieved a rare and famous 2-1 Test series win in India — their first since 1984–85. Alastair Cook led from the front with 3 centuries, including a 190 in Kolkata. The spinners, particularly Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar, outbowled their Indian counterparts, making this series one of the finest overseas performances in English cricket history.
In a thrilling contest at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground, India secured a famous win as Ishant Sharma bowled a fiery spell of 7/74, bouncing out the English batting lineup. This victory was India’s first at Lord’s since 1986 and showcased the rise of India’s pace bowling attack on foreign soil.
India pulled off a dramatic win at Lord’s in the second Test of the 2021 series. After a tense battle over four days, India’s lower order—led by a gritty partnership between Mohammed Shami (56) and Jasprit Bumrah (34)**—frustrated England and set up a challenging target. Fired up by the tension on the final morning, India’s pace quartet, led by Bumrah and Siraj, bowled England out for 120 to seal a memorable 151-run win. The victory was celebrated for its intensity, emotion, and India’s aggressive mindset in hostile conditions.
India pulled off a dramatic turnaround in the fourth Test at The Oval, led by a stirring century from Rohit Sharma and a collective bowling performance spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah. After conceding a first-innings lead, India bowled England out for 210 in the fourth innings to win by 157 runs, underscoring their resilience and depth.
Though technically part of the 2021 series, the rescheduled fifth Test at Edgbaston in July 2022 was a run-fest. Rishabh Pant’s blazing 146 and a composed 114 from Ravindra Jadeja helped India post 416 in the first innings. However, England chased down 378 – their highest successful chase in Tests – thanks to Jonny Bairstow’s 114* and Joe Root’s unbeaten 142, showcasing England’s new aggressive 'Bazball' approach under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum.
Both India and England are in a transition phase heading into the Test series and both will want to start afresh and on a positive note in the new World Test Championship cycle.
The Indian red ball side has seen some seismic changes post the Border Gavaskar Trophy and in between the England tour. Captain Rohit Sharma and veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin both retired from Test cricket. And perhaps the biggest shock came when one of India’s Greatest ever Test players and former captain Virat Kohli announced his retirement just a month prior to the tour. This has meant that India are in a complete transition phase.
In the absence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill has been named the captain of Indian Test side while Rishabh Pant has been named as the vice captain. First tour in England as a captain will surely be challenging for Shubman Gill. Additionally to fill the batting void, India has recalled Karun Nair, and youngsters like Sai Sudharshan, Abhimanyu Easwaran and Yashasvi Jaiswal would look to dominate in England.
India’s bowling attack will be led by Jasprit Bumrah but there are question marks over his fitness. Additionally, Mohammad Siraj and Prasidh Krishna are also back in the squad. While, left arm pacer Arshdeep Singh has been handed his first ever Test call up.
India squad for England tour
Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (vc, wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudarshan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav.
England led by the captain and coach duo of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum have a lot to prove going into the new World Test Championship cycle starting from the five match Test series against India. England’s ‘Bazball’ approach went strongly initially but in the last year, they seemed to have lost their way and struggled to eek out results.
The pace duo of Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad doesn’t exist anymore as they have retired making room for the likes of Gus Atkinson, Sam Cook and Josh Tounge to come in. Additionally, the offspin of Shoaib Basir could be potent for England coming up against India.
As for the batting is concerned the likes of Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett will be key to decide how well England fares in the series against India.
England squad for Test vs India
England are yet to announce their final squad.
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