The players who made the 1–0 series win possible – 18 years ago
It’s been 18 long years. Nearly two decades since India last got their hands on a Test series win in England. Back in 2007, it wasn’t about aggression or flamboyance — it was about grit, resilience, and seizing the moment. Under Rahul Dravid’s quiet but firm leadership, India pulled off what remains their third and last Test series win on English soil.
Now, with Shubman Gill at the helm in 2025, the ghosts of that glorious campaign are worth revisiting. Who stepped up when it mattered? Who etched their names into the story of India’s success abroad? Let’s go back to those three Tests and meet the men who shaped the series.
18 wickets | 28 runs | player of the series
Zaheer Khan didn’t just swing the ball; he turned the momentum, especially at Nottingham, where India claimed their only win. England batted first, and Zaheer ripped through the top order, sending Andrew Strauss and Michael Vaughan back early. They were dismissed for 198. He came back in the second innings and picked up five wickets, accounting for almost the entire top six.
India, batting second, had already posted 481, and Zaheer’s spell ensured a comfortable target. His nine wickets in that match were the heartbeat of the 7-wicket win. Across the series, he picked 18 wickets at just over 20 apiece. England never really figured him out.
14 wickets | 162 runs | Including 110* at No. 8
When people discuss Kumble’s 2007 performance, it’s not just the 14 wickets that come up. It’s his maiden Test hundred — the only one of his career. India batted first in the final Test at The Oval, amassing 664 runs. Coming in at No. 8, Kumble held firm and finished unbeaten on 110.
Credit: Mint
With the ball, he maintained a tight and practical approach. His all-around contribution was immense in the context of the draw that sealed the series 1–0.
209 runs | 6 catches | Two fighting fifties
At Lord’s, England seemed well placed to take a 1–0 lead. India were 145/5, chasing 380, with nearly 50 overs remaining. However, MS Dhoni came in and determined that the match wouldn’t be lost. His 76* off 159 balls saved the day. He partnered with Laxman and later Sreesanth to orchestrate an escape.
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At The Oval, he displayed his attacking prowess, smashing 92 off 81 balls. That explosive innings helped India post 664 and firmly closed the door on England. He ensured the bat didn’t fall silent when it mattered.
263 runs | Top run-scorer for India
Among a galaxy of stars like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, and VVS Laxman, it was Dinesh Karthik who stood tall. He opened the batting in all three Tests and topped the Indian run charts. His calm approach, sharp running, and partnerships with Wasim Jaffer provided India with strong starts.
Credit: ESPN
His 60 at Lord’s and 91 at Trent Bridge weren’t flashy, but they were precisely what India required in those conditions.
249 runs | Consistency across the series
Back from a long exile, Ganguly didn’t merely slot in — he owned the challenge. In all six innings, he never scored below 34. His 79 in the first innings of the second Test provided India with a cushion after England collapsed for 198. That innings played a key role in the 283-run lead India established.
CCredit: Sportstar
Ganguly’s ability to fend off James Anderson, Ryan Sidebottom, and Chris Tremlett astonished even English pundits. His average of 49.80 for the series was achieved against the seam trio at an even better rate — 53.33.
