India may not have won in Birmingham yet, but its bowlers have left plenty of scars on English soil
India is down 0–1 in the five-Test series. The loss at Headingley was painful—a record chase by England, five Indian centuries, yet still no win. Now, the caravan moves to Edgbaston, a ground that hasn’t been kind to India. Eight matches, seven defeats, one draw. No wins.
But if there’s one bright spot in India’s long struggle at this venue, it’s been the bowlers. Over the years, a few Indian bowlers have left their mark on this unforgiving pitch. Their spells didn’t always result in victory, but they pushed England close.
Here are the five standout Indian bowling performances at Edgbaston—where wins have slipped through fingers, but fire never has.
Figures: 6/58 (2nd innings), 4/130 (1st innings)
In 1986, India came closest to breaking the Edgbaston curse. England batted first and amassed 390, with Chetan Sharma working hard for 4 wickets in 41 overs. However, it was in the second innings that he tore through the English line-up, taking 6 for 58 in 24 overs, bowling with impressive discipline and swing.
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India needed 236 to win and finished at 174/5 before time expired. Sharma’s 10-wicket haul remains India’s best-ever match figures at the venue — a performance that deserved more than just a handshake at the end.
Figures: 5/51 (2nd innings)
Ishant changed the game in 2018 with a spell that nearly led India to victory. England had a slim first-innings lead of just 13 runs. However, in the second innings, Ishant bowled aggressively, bowling short and dismissing key batters, including Dawid Malan, Ben Stokes, and Jos Buttler, finishing with figures of 5 for 51 in 13 overs.
Credit: ESPN
England were bowled out for 180. India only needed 194 to win but fell short at 162, once again missing a golden opportunity.
Figures: 5/146 (1st innings)
England batted first and declared at an enormous 633/5. Kapil Dev, then just 20, bowled tirelessly across 48 overs to take 5 wickets. He tried to maintain the line as England accumulated runs from both ends, but without support from the other end, it was always going to be a losing cause.
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India was bowled out for 297 and 253. Kapil’s spell was overshadowed by the margin, but it signalled the rise of a genuine match-winning pacer in Indian colours.
Figures: 4/60 (2nd innings)
On a turning Edgbaston pitch in 1967, Erapalli Prasanna used his flight and variation to keep England in check during their second innings. He bowled 24 overs and picked 4 crucial wickets, making England work for their 203.
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Unfortunately, India’s first innings collapsed for just 92, leaving them too far behind. Though they fought back in the second with 277, it wasn’t enough to close the gap, as they lost by 132 runs. Still, Prasanna’s spell showed what finesse could do, even in the face of a mountain.
Figures: 4/62 (1st innings)
The 2018 Edgbaston Test was among India’s most competitive matches on this ground, and Ravichandran Ashwin’s opening spell in the first innings set the tone. He dismissed Alastair Cook early with a peach and kept tightening the noose from one end to the other with 4 for 62 in 26 overs.
Credit: ESPN
England scored 287 in their first innings, and Ashwin’s control helped keep them in check. But despite his start and Ishant’s follow-up, India’s batters couldn’t finish the job.
