Legends who left their mark where it’s toughest to win
England and India don't just share a colonial history and linguistic quirks — they have also built one of the most compelling rivalries in cricket. There's a sense of anticipation as India prepares to kick off their ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle with a five-match Test series in England starting on 20 June at Headingley.
This time, India come without Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, or Ravichandran Ashwin. However, they do carry with them a rich legacy — shaped by heroes who have fought and flourished on English turf.
Let's rewind and salute some of the finest Indian performers who have dominated Test cricket in England.
Credit: Mint
17 Tests | 1575 runs | Avg – 54.3 | 4 hundreds
He was just 17 when he saved a Test at Old Trafford with a brilliant century. Over the next two decades, Tendulkar's bat continued to speak fluently in England.
He scored 122 at Edgbaston in 1996, a sparkling 177 at Trent Bridge, and a gritty 193 at Headingley in 2002. Across six tours, Tendulkar never returned without leaving a lasting impression.
Credit: ANI
13 Tests | 1376 runs | Avg – 68.8 | 6 hundreds
Rahul Dravid quietly inked if there was ever a blueprint for batting in England. He scored a confident 95 on debut in 1996 at Lord's, then continued to pile on the runs across four tours. His masterclass 148 at Headingley in 2002 and a 217 at The Oval ensured a famous series draw.
In 2011, when everything else fell apart, Dravid stood firm — three centuries in four Tests even as India were whitewashed. Grace under pressure? Nobody did it better.
Credit: Cricket.com
13 Tests | 960 runs | Avg – 44.3 | 3 hundreds at Lord’s
Before Tendulkar and Dravid, it was Dilip Vengsarkar who kept India's batting hopes alive in England. Between 1979 and 1986, he scored three centuries at Lord's — a feat unmatched by any overseas batter.
He was part of India's historic 2-0 series victory in 1986. His consistency in challenging times made him the backbone of Indian batting in the pre-modern era.
Credit: ESPN
9 Tests | 915 runs | Avg – 65.4 | 3 hundreds | 8 wickets
Ganguly arrived with a bang — 131 on debut at Lord's, followed by 136 at Trent Bridge in 1996. However, it wasn't a one-off. In 2002, he scored a flamboyant 128 and a gritty 99. In 2007, he played a crucial role in India's rare series win.
Also handy with the ball, Dada's medium pace claimed 8 wickets. He was never dismissed for single digits across six Tests in England from 2002 onwards. Stylish, stubborn, and supremely consistent.
Credit: ESPN
8 Tests | 37 wickets | Avg – 23.8 | Best – 5/64
Jasprit Bumrah has transformed India's bowling attack in England in just two tours. Raw pace, pinpoint accuracy, and a sharp cricketing intellect — Bumrah possesses it all. In 15 innings, he has gone wicketless only once.
He is already breathing down the necks of Indian legends like Kapil Dev and Ishant Sharma in England. With at least three Tests scheduled in the 2025 series, Bumrah is on course to rewrite records.
8 Tests | 31 wickets | Avg – 28.0 | Best – 5/75
Zaheer Khan's England redemption arc came full circle in 2007. After a modest tour in 2002 and an unfortunate injury in 2011, he returned with fire in his belly.
Triggered by the infamous "jellybean incident" at Trent Bridge, Zaheer responded with a five-wicket haul, helping India clinch a memorable win. His swing and guile provided India the edge that summer.
