India will play four Tests against England, with the first Test starting on February 5. Both the teams are coming off a series win, with India winning a historic 2-1 series win against Australia Down Under, and England winning 2-0 against Sri Lanka.
India enjoys an invincible record in Tests at home. However, it was England who last defeated India in India in a Test series, way back in 2012-2013 when Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann ran riots. Hence, England would fancy their chances this time.
But post a great series win over Australia, India’s confidence will be high, and ready to knock out England at home.
So, here are a few entertaining Tests involving India and England.
1) 2008 Chennai Test
This Test came right after the 26 November 2008 terrorist attack in India. And hence, the matches were played under high security. England looked in control when they had set India a tough target of 387 on a wearing pitch. But opener Virender Sehwag had other ideas. He blasted 68-ball 83 to set the tone for the chase. Sachin Tendulkar’s 103 not out and Yuvraj Singh’s 85 not out completed the formality on the fifth day. Tendulkar dedicated the ton to the victims but it was Sehwag who won the man of the match award.
2) Lord’s Test in 2014
Backed by a ton from Ajinkya Rahane, India made 295 in their first innings. England took a small lead of 24 runs after making 319, with Gary Ballance hitting 110. However, India produced a good batting display in the second innings to score 342 and set a target of 319. England looked on course at 173/4 with Joe Root and Moeen Ali batting comfortably.
But England then committed hara-kiri and went after short bowling unleashed by Ishant Sharma only to be bowled out for 223, and lose the match by 95 runs. Ishant took 7/74 in the fourth innings to win the man of the match award.
3) Birmingham Test 2018
It was a low-scoring match with momentum shifting from one team to another. After England were bowled out for 287, India fought back with a valiant 149 from captain Virat Kohli to score 274. Ishant Sharma then took 5 wickets to bowl out England for 180, and give India a target of 194 runs. India were in the game till Kohli was at the crease, but once he fell for 51, India lost way and lost a close thriller by 31 runs. Sam Curran who scored a fifty and took 5 wickets was named man of the match.
4) Kolkata Test in 1973
India were trailing 0-1 going into the second Test at Kolkata. India chose to bat first and could manage just 210, with Farokh Engineer top-scoring with 75. Bhagwat Chandrasekhar then took 5 wickets to bowl out England for 174 runs as India took a valuable lead of 36 runs. But in the second innings, India could manage just 155 to set England a target of 192 runs.
England batsmen were in the race for the win at 114/4 with Tony Greig batting at 67. But Chandrasekhar dismissed Greig LBW to turn the tables and shift the momentum in India’s favor. Eventually, England were bowled out for 163 to lose the match by 28 runs. Chandrasekhar bagged 9 wickets in the match.
Cover image: Ishant Sharma celebrates his 7/74 against England in Lord's Test in 2014
Cover Credits: Sportzwiki
