From historic highs to haunting collapses, India's journey in England remains a tale of promise and pitfalls
It was the summer of 2021 when Virat Kohli led India to a gripping 2-1 lead in England after four intense Tests. The fifth was abandoned, postponed, and later levelled by England in Birmingham in 2022. Four years on, the series once again hangs in the balance-England lead 2-1 heading into the fourth Test at Old Trafford, with India aiming to level the series, this time under the youthful leadership of Shubman Gill. But how far have they truly progressed?
The statistical scorecards may indicate individual brilliance, but beyond the runs and wickets lies a story of generational change, tactical adjustments, and a team caught between nostalgia and renewal.
2021 India:
India's top order was built on resilience. Rohit Sharma (368 runs) had his defining overseas series with a memorable 127 at The Oval. KL Rahul (315 runs) complemented him well with a superb 129 at Lord's. Cheteshwar Pujara ground out time; Kohli, though inconsistent, kept the middle-order secure. India's run machine was slow but reliable. They batted first in three of the five Tests and depended heavily on making 300+ scores to challenge England.
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2025 India:
Enter the Shubman Gill era, and the willow now resounds louder. Gill has already amassed 577 runs in three matches, including a career-defining 269 at Edgbaston and 161 in the second innings. KL Rahul, now the pillar at opening, scored 2 hundreds in the series. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant bring flair, though consistency eludes the former.
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What's telling is this: In 2021, only two Indian centuries were scored before the fifth Test. In 2025, India had five centuries in the first match itself, despite losing. There's more firepower but also more fragility when the tide turns.
2021 India:
Bumrah and Siraj led a relentless pace attack. Bumrah took 23 wickets in five matches, bowling with menace and precision. Siraj took 14 wickets, including twin four-wicket hauls at Lord's. India rotated their pacers effectively-Shami, Ishant, and Umesh contributed with impactful spells.
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2025 India:
Not much has changed in terms of personnel-Bumrah (12 wickets so far) remains the strike bowler, and Siraj (13 wickets) still offers the raw edge. However, the support cast is younger: Akash Deep has made a strong debut with a 10-wicket match at Edgbaston. Washington Sundar, with an impressive 4/22 at Lord's, reminded fans of the void left by Ashwin.
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Yet India's defeat at Lord's by 22 runs-chasing 192-underscores a haunting parallel. The same opposition. The same venue. The same heartbreak.
Virat Kohli's 2021 England tour was driven by adrenaline and aggression. He challenged the opposition, brought intensity to press conferences, and rode the emotional wave. It worked-until it didn't. Tactical inflexibility in the fourth innings of the fifth Test cost India a win in the extended 2022 leg.
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Despite some heated moments with English players, Shubman Gill's leadership in 2025 has been characterised by calculation and composure. His double century at Edgbaston came as captain. His bold decision to declare early in the same Test-despite batting first-earned him respect and results.
India has shifted from a team built on resilience to one playing aggressively, both physically and metaphorically. However, England remains the most challenging overseas Test for any Asian side. Unless India can balance their flair with concentration and tactical strength, the 2025 series might turn out like 2021-full of highlights but not the trophy.
And without Kohli and Rohit, it's time for the next generation to stop chasing shadows and to forge its own path in the long English summer.
