From Rahul Dravid’s finesse at Leeds to Kuldeep’s wizardry in Dharamsala—relive the top five times Team India crushed England by an innings in Test cricket
The sun will rise again over Headingley, Lord's, The Oval, Edgbaston and the Old Trafford as India gears up for yet another five-Test series in England, beginning on June 20, 2025. This time, a fresh face leads them—Shubman Gill, India's 37th Test captain. Young, talented, but untested in English conditions as a leader. What lies ahead is uncertain.
And yet, amid the clouds of doubt, history offers a comforting hand. Because when India clicks, they bulldoze. So, before Gill leads the troops, let's wind the clock back and relive the top five innings victories India has secured over England.
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India's biggest innings win over England occurred in December 2016 in Chennai. England had posted a robust 477 in their first innings. However, what followed was sheer carnage.
India amassed a remarkable 759/7 declared—his highest Test score to date. Karun Nair took full advantage of his opportunity with a triple-century (303*), while KL Rahul narrowly missed a double, falling for 199. Then Ravindra Jadeja tightened the screws with 7/48 in the second innings. England collapsed for 207, and India clinched victory by an innings and 75 runs.
Credit: ESPN
The most recent of the five took place in the high altitudes of Dharamsala in March 2024. With the series on the line, India struck gold.
After England managed 218 in their first innings, India surged ahead with 477 on the board, thanks to centuries from Gill (110) and Rohit Sharma (103), along with valuable contributions from Devdutt Padikkal and Sarfaraz Khan. Kuldeep Yadav had an impressive performance, taking 7 wickets throughout the game.
Ravichandran Ashwin helped seal England's fate by taking 5 wickets for 77 runs in the second innings, leading to England's dismissal for 195 runs and a victory for the hosts by an innings and 64 runs.
Credit: India Today
This wasn't in India—it was on English soil. Leeds, 2002. It is a match forever remembered for the sheer control India exhibited over five days.
India declared at 628/8, riding on Rahul Dravid's 148, Sachin Tendulkar's 193, and Sourav Ganguly's 128. Then, the bowlers came into play. Kumble and Harbhajan tore through England's line-up. England replied with 273 and 309, handing India a convincing victory by an innings and 46 runs.
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England made a strong start at Wankhede, scoring 400 runs in their first innings. However, they were unprepared for what was to come next.
India responded with a formidable total of 631, spearheaded by Virat Kohli's magnificent 235. Murali Vijay contributed with 136, and Jayant Yadav added 104. Ashwin's spin prowess (6/55) left England struggling in the second innings as they were dismissed for 195. India clinched the match by an innings and 36 runs.
Credit: ESPN
In March 2021, the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad witnessed yet another English collapse. England were bundled out for 205 in the first innings. India responded strongly with 365 on the board, thanks to Rishabh Pant's counter-attacking 101 and Washington Sundar's composed 96.
England was dismissed for just 135 in their second innings, as Ashwin and Axar Patel shared all ten wickets between them. India cruised to a victory by an innings and 25 runs.
