From Anderson’s ageless swing to Ashwin’s crafty spells—here’s a look back at the bowlers who made the biggest dent in India vs England Test history
June 20 is circled on every cricket lover's calendar. India's red-ball voyage to England is nearly here—and this time, the winds of change are strong. No Virat Kohli, no Rohit Sharma, and no Ravi Ashwin. Instead, a new name leads the pack—Shubman Gill, the 37th Test captain for India. He bears hope, pressure, and the weight of history all at once.
But here's the twist—India hasn't won a Test series in England since 2007. The challenge is as steep as the English slopes, particularly without their mainstays. Bumrah's participation is sporadic, Shami hasn't made the cut, and Ashwin's departure leaves a void too deep to fill in one series.
As the new faces prepare to take guard, we rewind the tape and celebrate the bowlers—those titans of turf—who've made the India-England Test rivalry unforgettable.
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Let's begin with the big one. Sir James Anderson, the ever-young swing artist, has been turning Indian batters inside out since 2006.
Across 39 matches, Anderson has taken a staggering 149 wickets. His best figure of 5/20, six five-wicket halls, and a strike rate of 55.82—demonstrates how he's consistently shown up and chipped away.
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Now that he has retired from Tests, Ravichandran Ashwin leaves a remarkable legacy. In just 24 Tests against the British, he took 114 wickets, including an impressive eight five-wicket hauls and one ten-for.
His best spell of 6/55 at Wankhede was a masterclass. A brilliant strike rate of 55.99 highlights just how swiftly he made an impact every time he was given the ball.
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Once upon a time, before the days of analytics and LED stumps, Bhagwath Chandrasekhar created pure magic with his wrist action.
In his 23 Test matches vs. England, this talented leg-spinner took an impressive 95 wickets with a strike rate of 65.25, boasting a best figure of 8/79. Playing like a true gambler, he would either deliver big hauls or fall short, but India often celebrated victory when he found his rhythm.
Anil Kumble was a rare exception for India. While he may not have been the fastest or the flashiest, he was relentless and never backed down. He achieved an impressive 92 wickets in just 19 Tests against England, and every bowling spell was a captivating slow burn.
With four five-wicket hauls and a best figure of 7/115, he consistently kept England at bay, over after over. Though his strike rate of nearly 70 might seem high, Kumble's approach to the game was all about patience rather than sheer aggression.
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Bishan Singh Bedi, celebrated as the most graceful of India's old-school spinners, secures a spot in the top five.
Having played 22 matches, he impressively took 85 wickets with a strike rate of 84.38 against England, showcasing a frugality that may appear quite foreign in today's fast-paced T20 world. His exceptional spell of 6/71 was merely one of many moments when he effortlessly captured the spotlight.
