From jelly beans to Vaseline, these incidents made headlines as much as the cricket did
When India steps onto Headingley’s turf on 20th June 2025, it won’t just be about bat and ball. It will be about history, about grudges carried forward and scores—sometimes literal, sometimes personal—waiting to be settled. Over the decades, England vs. India Tests have provided fans with some of the finest contests, but not without a few wild turns.
In a rivalry that has stretched across 90 years, the matches have often spilled beyond the pitch. Let’s turn back the pages and revisit five controversial moments that added spice to the already simmering pot.
Credit: Crictracker
It began with a laugh and ended in fury.
During the second Test at Trent Bridge, India’s Zaheer Khan arrived at the crease only to find jelly beans scattered around the batting area. The English fielders sniggered, but Zaheer wasn’t amused.
He had a word—or two—with Kevin Pietersen. Then, he let the ball do the talking. In the second innings, Zaheer claimed 5/75, leading India to a rare win on English soil. India eventually won the series 1–0, their first in England since 1986.
Credit: The Hindu
John Lever was unplayable during England’s tour of India in 1976–77. However, questions were raised when he turned the ball both ways under Chennai’s humidity.
Indian skipper Bishan Singh Bedi accused Lever of using Vaseline-laced gauze to aid reverse swing. England denied it, claiming it was only to keep sweat out of his eyes. The umpires overlooked it, but the “Vaseline series” became known as one of the most controversial in Indo-English history.
England won the series 3–1. But the debate over ball-tampering practices had already taken off.
Credit: ESPN
In the second Test at Nottingham, Ian Bell misjudged a boundary and walked off for tea, assuming the ball had crossed the ropes.
Praveen Kumar threw the ball back, the bails were whipped off, and India appealed. Bell was declared run out. What followed made headlines worldwide.
MS Dhoni, after discussions during the break, decided to withdraw the appeal. Bell returned and scored 159, and England thrashed India by 319 runs. Still, Dhoni won hearts—even in defeat.
Credit: Wisden
Tensions flared during the first Test at Trent Bridge. Following a verbal exchange on the field, James Anderson allegedly pushed Ravindra Jadeja in a corridor incident.
India lodged a complaint under Level 3 of the ICC Code of Conduct. However, because there was no solid evidence and conflicting accounts, no formal punishment was imposed.
The tour continued, but the animosity was palpable. England won the series 3–1, yet the atmosphere remained tense until the very end.
Mumbai, 2008. England’s Kevin Pietersen stepped out of his crease to pat Paul Collingwood on the back for reaching a century. Virender Sehwag seized the opportunity and attempted to run him out.
The appeal was swiftly withdrawn, but it divided opinion. Was Sehwag right to capitalise? Was it in bad taste? The spirit of the game hung in the balance.
India went on to chase down 387—their highest successful run-chase in Tests at the time. Yet, the debate about opportunism versus fair play continued.
