The rivalry between India national cricket team and England cricket team is among the most intense in the history of the game. It all began during the period during the time of British Colonial rule and is turned into a well-known sporting spectacle that is watched across the globe. For both nations these games aren’t only about wickets and runs however, they are about pride, culture and a legacy. From five-day Test matches during the 20th century through today’s high-intensity matches. The rivalry between the two countries has grown more intense with each new decade.
India and England have both shaped their respective cricket experiences, helping to spread the sport to millions people around the world. Let’s explore this amazing timeline.
The Early Years: 1932-1950s

The cricketing journey of India to England was initiated in the year 1932, when they played their first test match at Lord’s. This was an historic moment for India’s debut into international cricket. Batting first, England made 259 runs, while India scored only 189 runs. England eventually won. Although India fell short, the match was the start of the story of.
Through the 1940s and 1950s the dominance of England remained. Players such as captain Wally Hammond kept England ahead however, Indian superstars like Vijay Merchant and Lala Amarnath offered glimpses of the talent eager to blossom.
Through the 1951-52 series played on home soil, India showed signs of advancement. India put up a fight and the series resulted in a draw with both teams winning 1-1. It was a small step that was then transformed into stepping stones to Indian cricket’s long-term success.
The 1970s-1980s: India Finds Its Footing
The 70s witnessed India progressing significantly. The tour of 1971 in England was a pivotal moment. With captain Ajit Wadekar and the power of spinner Bhagwat Chandrasekhar India were the first team to win a test series against England. This was more than just a win. It was a declaration that India was on the way to becoming a nation.
The 1980s brought this momentum to the next level. With legendary players like Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, as well as Dilip Vengsarkar India was able to become a formidable power. It was in 1986 that India was once more awestruck by England when they won the tournament in their backyard. Each victory proved that India wasn’t just an opponent, but was now a serious competitor.
The 1990s-2000s: Evenly Matched Battles

In the 1990s the rivalry between India and England was more even. England had the best players such as Michael Atherton and Darren Gough While India featured players like Sachin Tendulkar, Anil Kumble as well as Rahul Dravid. Cricket matches were no longer only about cricket but were about two teams that were proud of the limits of each other.
The most memorable is the Test match of 2002 that ended in a draw with India winning the series in a memorable manner. Another moment of glory came in 2007, when Dravid’s India triumphed in a Test series in England, an uncommon and exciting feat. The last few years saw fans witness many of the best exciting and memorable matches.
2011-2012: England’s Dominance, India’s Comeback
This year’s series was a gruelling one for India. England with the bat of Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook and James Anderson in prime form defeated India by a score of 4-0. It was a humiliating defeat as Indian fans were disappointed.
Cricket is filled with comebacks. In the next home match (2012-13), India under MS Dhoni turned the tables by beating England by a score of 2-1. Young stars such as Cheteshwar Pujara stepped up to the challenge, proving that the Indian team’s determination was not gone.
2014-2018: Hard-Fought Cricket

The 2014 series started by India beating the Indians at Lord’s and sparked hopes of another international success. However, England was back on top and took the series 3-1.
In the year 2018, England, led by Joe Root and powered by Anderson Broad and Anderson Broad Anderson and Broad, beat India 4-1. In the end, Virat Kohli’s batting stood out, as he played one of the most impressive games of his career racking up runs in difficult conditions and earning respect from all over the world. Although India was defeated, the cricket was stunning and highlighted the quality of this game.
2021-2022: Drama and History
The 2021 series played in England was a memorable experience. Under Virat Kohli’s bold leadership India was fearless in their game.
They won at Lord’s and The Oval, taking a 2-1 lead. But the final Test at Old Trafford was postponed due to COVID-19.
When the series resumed in 2022, a new-look England under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum (with their aggressive “Bazball” approach) chased down a massive 378 in the last Test. The series ended 2-2, and fans witnessed one of the most thrilling Test contests in history.
2023–2024: India’s Fortress at Home
Back on home soil, India showed why they are nearly unbeatable in their own conditions. In the 2023–24 series, young star Yashasvi Jaiswal lit up the stage with fearless batting, while the spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja proved too strong for England.
India won the series 4-1, once again proving that playing them at home is one of cricket’s toughest challenges. More than just a victory, the series highlighted India’s strong mix of youth and experience, setting the tone for the future.
2025 Series: India Tour of England

The Indian cricket team will visit England between June and August 2025 for a five-match Test series. These games are part of the 2025–2027 ICC World Test Championship. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had already announced the schedule in August 2024, including this series as a key fixture in their 2025 home international season.
The Indian Squad consisted of following players-
India- Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (vc, wk), Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Ravindra Jadeja, Narayan Jagadeesan (wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Anshul Kamboj, Prasidh Krishna, Karun Nair, KL Rahul, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Sai Sudharsan, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav.
England Team consisted of following players-
England- Ben Stokes (c), Ollie Pope (vc), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes.
The series resulted in a draw with each team winning 2 matches and 1 match resulted in a draw. The first test match was played between June 20- 24. England won this match by 5 wickets and man of the match was awarded to Ben Duckett.
2nd match of the series was played between June 2- 6. India won this match by 336 runs. Man of the match was awarded to Shubham Gill.
3rd match of the series was played between 10- 14th July. England won this match by 22 runs and player of the match was Ben Stokes.
4th test match of the series was played between 23–27 July 2025. This match resulted in a draw and Ben Stokes was awarded player of the match.
5th test match was played between 31st July – 4th August. India won this match by 6 runs and Mohammad Siraj was awarded man of the match.
FAQs
Q: When did India and England first play a Test match?
A: In 1932, at Lord’s, London. It was India’s debut in international Test cricket.
Q: When did India first win a Test series in England?
A: In 1971, under Ajit Wadekar’s captaincy. India won 1-0 with a historic win at The Oval.
Q: How did the 2021 Test series end?
A: It was postponed due to COVID and concluded in 2022. England chased 378 in the final Test to level the series 2-2.
Q: Who stood out in the 2023–24 series?
A: Yashasvi Jaiswal impressed with his batting, while Ashwin and Jadeja dominated with the ball as India won 4-1.
Q: When is the next India–England Test series?
A: June 2025, when India tours England for a five-match series.
Read Also
- Australian Men’s Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline
- Gujarat Titans vs Mumbai Indians Timeline (2022-2025)
- Bangladesh National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline
- Namibia National Cricket Team vs England Cricket Team Timeline
- India National Cricket Team Vs South Africa National Cricket Team Timeline
- Australia Women’s National Cricket Team vs India Women’s National Cricket Team Timeline
- Bangladesh National Cricket Team Vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline
- Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline