Best Series Wins for Team India Against England in Tests

India vs England is one of the most intense and historic rivalries in Test cricket. Over the decades, both teams have enjoyed moments of dominance and heartache. But for Indian fans, nothing is sweeter than seeing Team India win a Test series against England, especially given the long and competitive history shared between these two cricketing powerhouses.

While England dominated the early years of this rivalry, India has made remarkable progress since the 1970s, registering some iconic series victories both at home and on English soil. In this blog, we take a deep dive into the best series wins for Team India against England in Tests, highlighting those memorable triumphs that truly defined India’s rise in world cricket.

1. India’s First Test Series Win in England – 1971

  • Series Result: India won 1-0 (3-match series)

  • Captain: Ajit Wadekar

  • Venue of Victory: The Oval, London

  • Player of the Series: Bhagwat Chandrasekhar (13 wickets in 2 matches)

This win is easily one of the best series wins for Team India against England in Tests because it marked the beginning of a new era in Indian cricket. Until 1971, India had never won a Test series in England. Under the calm leadership of Wadekar and with a world-class spin attack, India stunned England by winning the third and final Test at The Oval.

Chandrasekhar’s magical spell of 6 for 38 helped India bowl out England for just 101, setting up a historic chase. This victory changed how the world viewed Indian cricket—it was no longer just a team that played, but one that competed and won overseas.

2. India’s Dominant 3-1 Win at Home – 2020-21

  • Series Result: India won 3-1 (4-match series)

  • Captain: Virat Kohli

  • Key Players: Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Rohit Sharma

The 2020-21 Test series against England is one of the most recent and most talked-about wins. England started the series with a strong victory in the first Test at Chennai, but India bounced back brilliantly to win the next three games and take the series 3-1.

Ravichandran Ashwin was outstanding with the ball and even scored a century, while Axar Patel made a sensational debut by picking up 27 wickets in just three matches. Rohit Sharma played a match-winning knock on a difficult turning track in Chennai, and India proved their dominance in home conditions once again.

This series was crucial as it helped India qualify for the World Test Championship Final, making it one of the best Test series wins for India against England in terms of importance and performance.

3. 2006 India’s Overseas Triumph in England

  • Series Result: India won 1-0 (3-match series)

  • Captain: Rahul Dravid

  • Key Performers: Zaheer Khan, Anil Kumble, Sourav Ganguly

India’s 2006 Test series win in England was a significant overseas achievement. This was the first time India had won a series in England since 1986. Rahul Dravid’s calm leadership, combined with brilliant performances from Zaheer Khan and Anil Kumble, helped India script a historic 1-0 win.

Zaheer Khan’s 5-wicket haul at Nottingham and India’s aggressive bowling made the difference. This series also marked the return of a matured and confident Indian team capable of winning in challenging English conditions.

4. 1992-93 Series Win at Home – Clean Sweep

  • Series Result: India won 3-0 (3-match series)

  • Captain: Mohammad Azharuddin

  • Key Players: Anil Kumble, Javagal Srinath, Vinod Kambli

One of the most dominant Test series wins for India against England came in the 1992-93 home series. India whitewashed England 3-0, showcasing a complete performance across all departments.

Anil Kumble emerged as a spin wizard, troubling the English batters throughout the series, while Srinath’s pace added balance. With Azharuddin’s aggressive captaincy and some brilliant batting by the likes of Kambli, this series win reaffirmed India’s stronghold in home conditions.

Check Out:- Rohit Sharma Profile: Career, Stats

5. 1981-82 Series Victory in India

  • Series Result: India won 1-0 (6-match series)

  • Captain: Sunil Gavaskar

  • Notable Mentions: Kapil Dev, Dilip Doshi, Gundappa Viswanath

Though low-scoring in terms of matches won, the 1981-82 series win against England was still a hard-fought and satisfying victory for India. In a long 6-match series, India held their nerve to win one match while drawing the rest.

Kapil Dev’s fiery pace and Doshi’s steady spin made the difference, while batsmen like Viswanath and Vengsarkar chipped in with crucial contributions. It was a classic example of grinding out a series win in a battle of attrition.

6. 2001-02 Home Series Win – Spin Takes Over Again

  • Series Result: India won 1-0 (3-match series)

  • Captain: Sourav Ganguly

  • Top Performers: Harbhajan Singh, Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid

This was another solid home series win where India’s spinners ruled the roost. Harbhajan and Kumble took most of the wickets, while Dravid played the anchor in the middle order. England fought well but couldn’t stop India from clinching the series.

The highlight was India’s consistency and ability to bounce back from tough sessions—a characteristic that became more common under Ganguly’s captaincy.

Why These Wins Matter

Each of these series wins represents a significant step in India’s journey as a Test cricket superpower. From breaking the jinx in England to mastering their home turf, India has shown immense growth and maturity over the years. These series also featured some of India’s greatest players stepping up at the right time—be it Kapil Dev in the '80s, Dravid and Kumble in the 2000s, or Ashwin and Rohit in recent years.

Final Thoughts

The best series wins for Team India against England in Tests are not just about numbers or trophies. They are about moments that shaped the team’s identity, boosted confidence, and gave fans across the globe memories to cherish forever. Whether it was winning at Lord’s, The Oval, Chennai, or Ahmedabad, these series wins reflect India’s grit, talent, and passion for Test cricket.

As the rivalry continues to evolve, fans can only look forward to more historic wins and legendary performances in future India vs England Test series.

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