The rivalry between the India National Cricket Team and the England Cricket Team is one of the oldest and most fascinating stories in world cricket. It began in 1932, when India played their first-ever Test match at Lord’s against England, marking the dawn of a competitive journey that has lasted for more than nine decades. Over the years, this contest has evolved from colonial undertones to one of cricket’s most respected rivalries, featuring unforgettable moments, legendary players, and thrilling battles across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
In this timeline, we explore how the India vs England cricket rivalry has unfolded through the years.
🏏 Test Series Timeline: From 1932 to 2025
Early Days (1930s–1950s)
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1932: India made their Test debut at Lord’s, losing by 158 runs. Despite the defeat, it marked the beginning of India’s journey in international cricket.
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1951–52: India registered their first-ever Test victory against England in Madras (now Chennai). This historic win was a turning point for Indian cricket.
Rise of Indian Cricket (1960s–1980s)
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1971: India, led by Ajit Wadekar, won their first Test series in England (1–0). The Oval Test became legendary, thanks to Bhagwat Chandrasekhar’s match-winning bowling.
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1986: Under Kapil Dev, India stunned England 2–0 in England – a rare overseas triumph in that era.
Modern Era (2000s–2025)
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2002: England fought hard in India, but the series ended draw.
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2007: Rahul Dravid’s India clinched a historic 1–0 win in England, their first since 1986.
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2011: England crushed India 4–0 at home, rising to the No.1 Test ranking.
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2012: England scripted a 2–1 series win in India, with Alastair Cook dominating.
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2016: India, led by Virat Kohli and R Ashwin, won 4–0 at home.
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2018: England triumphed 4–1, with James Anderson and Sam Curran shining.
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2021–22: India led 2–1 before the final Test was postponed; eventually the series ended 2–2 after England’s win at Edgbaston.
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2024: India dominated 4–1 at home under Rohit Sharma.
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2025: A fiercely fought 2–2 draw in England, with Shubman Gill stepping up as India’s new Test captain.
ODI Timeline: World Cup Battles and Bilateral Glory
First Encounters & World Cup Drama
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1974: The two sides met in their first ODI at Leeds, which England won.
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1983 World Cup: India defeated England in the semifinal at Old Trafford, paving the way to their maiden World Cup triumph.
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1999 World Cup: India beat hosts England by 63 runs in Birmingham, powered by Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly.
Memorable Series
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2002 NatWest Series Final: India chased 325 at Lord’s, thanks to Mohammad Kaif and Yuvraj Singh. Sourav Ganguly’s iconic celebration on the balcony remains unforgettable.
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2008: India thrashed England 5–0 in ODIs at home.
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2011 World Cup: India and England played out a thrilling tie in Bengaluru.
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2013 Champions Trophy Final: India beat England by 5 runs in Birmingham to win the title under MS Dhoni.
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2019 World Cup: England defeated India in the league stage, with Jonny Bairstow scoring a match-winning century.
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2023 World Cup: India beat England convincingly by 100 runs in Lucknow, with Rohit Sharma starring.
Latest ODI Series
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2025: India whitewashed England 3–0 at home, with youngsters like Abhishek Sharma, Rinku Singh, and Tilak Varma making a mark.
T20I Timeline: From Yuvraj’s Six Sixes to Modern Fireworks</h2>
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2007 T20 World Cup: India defeated England in Durban, highlighted by Yuvraj Singh’s six sixes in an over off Stuart Broad – one of cricket’s most iconic moments.
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2012: Series drawn 1–1 in India.
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2018: India won a thrilling series 2–1 in England, with Rohit Sharma scoring a memorable century.
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2021: India edged out England 3–2 in a five-match home series.
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2022: India won 2–1 in England, with Hardik Pandya starring.
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2025: India crushed England in a five-match T20I series, with Shubman Gill and Rinku Singh delivering match-winning knocks.
📊 Head-to-Head Records (as of September 2025)
| Format | Matches | India Wins | England Wins | Draw/Tie/NR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 141 | 37 | 53 | 51 Draws |
| ODIs | 110 | 61 | 44 | 5 (Tie/NR) |
| T20Is | 29 | 17 | 12 | 0 |
🔥 Iconic Rivalries and Players
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Sunil Gavaskar vs Ian Botham – battles of the 1970s and 80s.
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Sachin Tendulkar vs James Anderson – one of the most talked-about duels in Test cricket.
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Virat Kohli vs Stuart Broad – fiery face-offs in the 2010s.
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Jasprit Bumrah vs Joe Root – the modern contest between bat and ball.
Venues that Shaped the Rivalry
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Lord’s (London): “Home of Cricket” where it all began in 1932.
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The Oval (London): Site of India’s historic 1971 win.
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Eden Gardens (Kolkata): Witnessed many intense India–England battles.
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Chennai (Chepauk): Site of India’s first-ever Test victory.
Check: India Asia Cup Squad 2025
Future Outlook
The India vs England rivalry continues to be a highlight of world cricket. With the World Test Championship, ODI Super League, and T20 World Cups, the stakes are higher than ever. Young stars like Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Harry Brook, and Gus Atkinson are expected to carry this rivalry forward, ensuring that the India vs England saga remains one of cricket’s most captivating stories.
Conclusion
From India’s humble Test debut in 1932 to modern-day high-intensity battles, the India vs England rivalry has witnessed everything: historic firsts, World Cup clashes, unforgettable innings, and evolving cricketing dominance. Whether it’s at Lord’s, The Oval, or Eden Gardens, every encounter adds a new chapter to this storied rivalry.
As both teams look ahead to future ICC tournaments and bilateral series, one thing is certain: India vs England remains one of cricket’s greatest timelines – a blend of tradition, rivalry, and unforgettable moments.
