England vs India test series in 2024 is anticipated to be an extraordinary test series. The critics have already coined a new name for this series – Bazball vs Spinners. Six years ago, the Indian cricket team, led by Virat Kohli, achieved a 4-0 series victory in the previous England vs India Test Series in India. Undoubtedly, the English cricketers will strive to give their utmost in order to seek sweet revenge.
Over the course of 92 years, from 1932 to 2024, both teams have competed in 131 tests against each other. The English team has emerged victorious in 50 tests, while India has only won 31 tests. It is worth noting that the most recent England vs India Test Series, held in England in 2021-22, ended in a draw with a score of 2-2.
For an inquisitive cricket fan, we have selected the top 10 lesser-known records of the England vs India Test.
1) First Century in England Vs India Test Series:
. India made their entry into the list of Test playing nations by playing a test match against England in 1932. However, none of the batsmen from both the English and Indian teams were able to score a century.
The first century in the history of England vs India test was achieved by Bryan Valentine in the inaugural test of the England vs India Test Series in 1934. Valentine scored a career-best 136 runs, including 12 fours and 1 six.
In the same test, Lala Amarnath became the first Indian batsman to score a century in an England vs India Test Series. Despite his impressive knock of 118, India could not avoid defeat.
2) First Double Century:
The England vs India Test series of 1936 gained immense popularity due to the remarkable performance of the legendary English batsman, Wally Hammond.
Hammond became the first English batsman to score a double century against India, amassing 217 runs in the 3rd Test of the third England vs India Test Series. His innings is still considered one of the greatest of all time.
3) Highest Individual Score in the history of England vs India Test Series:
The brilliant knock played by England Captain Graham Gooch in the first Test of the England vs India Test Series of 1990 is still remembered. Gooch became the first English batsman to score a triple century against India, with his score of 333 remaining the highest individual score in England vs India Test Series.
. In the 2016 Fifth Test of the England vs India Test Series, Indian batsman Karun Nair scored an impressive 303, setting a new record for the highest individual score in a Test against England.
4) Fastest Century:
The final Test of the England vs India Test Series of 1982 was the sixth match of the series. All five tests in this series ended in a draw, but Kapil Dev’s brutal knock of 116 off 98 balls played a remarkable role in India’s victory. Kapil completed his century in just 86 balls, making it the fastest century in England vs India Test Series history.
Graham Gooch holds the record for the fastest century by an English batsman against India, scoring 100 runs off 95 balls. In the second innings of the first Test of the England vs India Test Series in 1990, Gooch scored a superb 123 off 113 balls, securing England’s victory.
5) Highest Runs:
Sachin Tendulkar, one of the greatest batsmen of all time, previously held the record for the highest runs in the history of England vs India Test matches. However, this record has been broken by English batsman Joe Root, who has scored 2555 runs and now tops the list of highest scorers in England vs India Test history.
6) Highest Number of Centuries:
Joe Root is once again at the top with his nine centuries, surpassing Tendulkar, Cook, and Dravid who are all tied in second place with seven centuries.
7)Highest and Lowest Total:
In the second innings of the second Test of the England vs India Test Series in 1974, the Indian team displayed a highly disappointing batting performance. Thanks to the exceptional bowling of Geoff Arnold and Chris Old, India’s innings came to an end at 42 runs, the lowest total in the history of England vs India Test matches.
42 years later, Virat Kohli’s team set a new record for the highest ever total in England vs India Test matches. With the help of Karun Nair’s unbeaten 303 and K L Rahul’s 199, the Indian team achieved a massive total of 759.
8) Highest Partnership:
In the fourth Test of the England vs India Test Series in 2012, Ian Bell and Kevin Pietersen dominated the Indian bowling attack. Bell and Pietersen added 350 runs for the third wicket, a record that remains unbroken.
9) Best Bowling Figure:
During the fifties, nobody expected India to defeat England as India was considered to be just a Test playing nation.In the third Test of the 1952 England vs India Test Series, the Indian batsmen looked helpless against Fred Trueman’s fiery bowling. Trueman claimed 8 wickets, and his bowling figures of 8/31 still stand as the best in England vs India Test history.
10) Highest Wicket Taker:
There is another Legendary Fast Bowler of England who has claimed the top spot on the list of highest wicket takers in England vs India Test History. With an impressive total of 139 wickets in 35 Tests, James Anderson stands as the leading wicket taker.
Following closely behind is India’s renowned leg spinner, Bhagwath Chandrashekhar, who secured the second position with an admirable tally of 95 wickets in 23 Tests. Amongst the spinners from both sides, Chandrashekhar proudly holds the title of being the highest wicket taker.
11) Most 10 Wickets Hauls:
Sir Alec Bedser, the renowned fast bowler from England, achieved the remarkable feat of claiming 10 wickets on two separate occasions while playing against India. His journey against the Indian team commenced in 1946, where he made his debut. In the initial two Tests of his career, Bedser displayed his prowess by taking a total of 11 wickets.
