The cricketing rivalry between India and England dates back to 1932, when India played its first-ever Test match at Lord’s. Since then, the two cricketing powerhouses have locked horns across formats, creating unforgettable moments, intense battles, and iconic performances. This blog takes a brief look at the timeline of this historic rivalry between the India National Cricket Team and the England National Cricket Team.
- ???? Test Cricket Timeline
1932: India made its Test debut against England at Lord’s under the captaincy of C.K. Nayudu. - 1952: India secured its first-ever Test victory over England in Madras.
- 1971: Under Ajit Wadekar, India won its first Test series in England, with a historic win at The Oval.
- 2007: India again triumphed in England, winning a three-match Test series 1-0.
- 2021–2022: The Pataudi Trophy saw intense competition, with India leading 2-1 before the final Test was postponed and later drawn in 2022.
- ???? ODI Timeline
1974: India played its first One Day International against England at Headingley. - 1983: India famously defeated England in the World Cup semifinal en route to its historic title win.
- 2002: The NatWest Series Final at Lord’s saw one of India’s most iconic ODI wins, with Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif chasing down 325.
- 2011–2013: Frequent bilateral ODI series between both teams kept fans entertained with nail-biting finishes.
???? T20I Timeline
2007: India defeated England in the inaugural T20 World Cup, with Yuvraj Singh hitting six sixes in one over off Stuart Broad.
2018 & 2021: India and England engaged in close T20I series both at home and away, showcasing the rising T20 dominance of both teams.
???? Head-to-Head Overview (as of 2025)
Format Matches India Wins England Wins Draw/NR
- Tests 134 31 50 53
ODIs 106 57 44 5
T20Is 23 12 11 0
???? Key Moments in the Rivalry
- 1983 World Cup Semifinal – India's rise to glory.
- 2007 NatWest Final – Ganguly’s shirt celebration at Lord’s.
- 2021 Oval Test – India’s remarkable comeback to win in England.
Yuvraj Singh’s 6 sixes in 2007 T20 World Cup – A moment etched in cricket history.
Conclusion
The India vs England cricket rivalry is rich in tradition, passion, and thrilling cricketing action. From Test match classics to high-octane T20s, this timeline is a testament to how two cricket-loving nations have pushed each other to greatness. As the rivalry continues to evolve, fans can look forward to more epic battles on the cricketing field.