Forgotten Match-Winning Spells in India vs England Tests are the unsung threads woven into the rich fabric of this historic rivalry. While the spotlight often shines on iconic centuries, dramatic collapses, last-over thrillers, and legendary spells, many game-changing performances have quietly faded into obscurity. Spanning nearly a century, the India vs England Test rivalry has witnessed numerous such underappreciated feats, match-winning spells that secured famous victories yet remain overlooked in cricket folklore.
In this feature, we shine a light on the Top 10 Forgotten Match-Winning Spells in India vs England Tests, feats of bowling artistry that changed games but remain overlooked in conversations today. These weren’t just statistical anomalies; they were moments of strategic brilliance, bursts of intensity, or sheer defiance under pressure. Whether it was a spinner bamboozling batsmen in alien conditions or a pacer delivering a clutch spell when the match hung in the balance, these efforts shaped the outcome and deserve their due spotlight.
10. Ravindra Jadeja – 7/48 at Chennai, 2016
Even though India dominated the 2016 series, Jadeja’s 7-wicket haul in the final Test often gets buried under the collective team brilliance. His relentless accuracy dismantled England on a turning track. In hindsight, this was one of the crucial but Forgotten Match-Winning Spells in India vs England Tests, underappreciated due to Kohli’s towering batting performances in the same match.
Bowling Figures Table
| Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25.5 | 6 | 48 | 7 | 1.85 |
9. Laxman Sivaramakrishnan – 6/64 at Bombay, 1984
In a series remembered for England’s dominance, Sivaramakrishnan’s brilliant 6/64 was a rare bright spot for India. The young leggie’s flight and guile spun a web on a slow track. His short career makes this one of the most overlooked Forgotten Match-Winning Spells in India vs England Tests.
Bowling Figures Table
| Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27.3 | 7 | 64 | 6 | 2.32 |
8. Shardul Thakur – 2/22 & 7/61 (Match) at The Oval, 2021
Despite Rohit Sharma’s century and Bumrah’s fire-grabbing the attention, Shardul’s all-round brilliance, including 7 match wickets, helped India win at The Oval. His impactful spell on Day 5 is among the recent Forgotten Match-Winning Spells in India vs England Tests, mainly because his batting overshadowed his bowling.
Bowling Figures Table
| Innings | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 6 | 2 | 22 | 2 | 3.66 |
| 2nd | 19.3 | 6 | 61 | 5 | 3.12 |
7. Narendra Hirwani – 6/59 at Madras, 1993
Although Hirwani’s 16-wicket debut overshadowed everything else in his short career, his 6/59 in this match against England was pivotal. Bowling with subtle variations, he broke crucial partnerships. Given that the series had already won, this spell fell into oblivion, becoming one of the Forgotten Match-Winning Spells in India vs England Tests.
Bowling Figures Table
| Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | 5 | 59 | 6 | 2.56 |
6. Karsan Ghavri – 5/33 at Chennai, 1977
Overshadowed by Chandrasekhar’s brilliance in the same match, Ghavri’s 5/33 played a crucial role in bundling England out for just 171. His swing bowling in humid Chennai conditions was decisive and deserves to be remembered as one of the earliest Forgotten Match-Winning Spells in India vs England Tests.
Bowling Figures Table
| Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18.3 | 4 | 33 | 5 | 1.78 |
5. Ajit Agarkar – 6/41 at Lord’s, 2002
Agarkar’s only Test five-for came in the most iconic setting Lord’s. His fiery spell in the second innings gave India a shot at chasing 272. Though India collapsed, his efforts remain underrated. This was one of the Forgotten Match-Winning Spells in India vs England Tests because of the eventual loss overshadowing his brilliance.
Bowling Figures Table
| Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17.2 | 3 | 41 | 6 | 2.36 |
4. Ramesh Powar – 3/34 at Mumbai, 2006
While Anil Kumble took the headlines, Ramesh Powar’s control and pressure in the second innings were key in setting up India’s win. His 3/34 helped choke England’s middle-order and remains one of the Forgotten Match-Winning Spells in India vs England Tests.
Bowling Figures Table
| Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 5 | 34 | 3 | 2.42 |
3. Debasis Mohanty – 4/78 at Nottingham, 1999
Debasis Mohanty isn’t a name often recalled in Indian Test cricket. But during the 1999 Trent Bridge Test, his accurate seam bowling troubled England on a tricky pitch. Although India eventually lost, Mohanty’s spell gave them a real sniff. It remains one of the most Forgotten Match-Winning Spells in India vs England Tests, especially because of his short international career.
Bowling Figures Table
| Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | 3 | 78 | 4 | 3.71 |
2. Maninder Singh – 4/26 at Leeds, 1986
India’s historic series win in England in 1986 is mostly attributed to Kapil Dev and Dilip Vengsarkar. However, Maninder Singh’s spell in the Leeds Test was a silent game-changer. His 4/26 helped bowl out England for just 102 in their second innings, setting up an easy chase. This was one of the earliest Forgotten Match-Winning Spells in India vs England Tests delivered by a young spinner on English soil.
Bowling Figures Table
| Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15.4 | 6 | 26 | 4 | 1.65 |
1. Venkatesh Prasad – 5/76 at Edgbaston, 1996
While the 1996 England tour is remembered for the emergence of Dravid and Ganguly, Venkatesh Prasad’s spell in the first Test at Edgbaston is one of the most Forgotten Match-Winning Spells in India vs England Tests. On a green surface against an in-form English side, Prasad dismantled the top order with relentless discipline. Despite India losing the match, his spell kept them in the game for long stretches and showed his potential to lead India’s pace attack overseas.
Bowling Figures Table
| Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28.2 | 4 | 76 | 5 | 2.68 |
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