The India vs England Test rivalry is one of cricket’s most fiercely contested chapters, rich in drama, heritage, and emotion. Across decades, these two cricketing giants have not only battled for supremacy but have also served the fans unforgettable thriller moments where the outcome hung by a thread until the final ball. These close finishes in Test cricket transcend mere wins and losses—they etch themselves into cricketing folklore.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane and relive the Top 10 Close Finishes in India vs England Test History, where nerves frayed, strategies cracked under pressure, and individuals rose above the ordinary to turn the tide.
10. Ahmedabad 2021 – India Won by 10 Wickets (2-Day Finish)
A rare Pink Ball Test that finished in just 2 days. Despite the result, both teams were neck-and-neck after Day 1. The quick collapses added to the drama, marking this as one of the shortest close finishes in modern history.
Key Player: Axar Patel
| Player | Wkts | Runs | Overs | Maidens | Match Figures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axar Patel | 11 | 70 | 34 | 12 | 6/38 & 5/32 |
9. Leeds 2021 – India Lost by an Innings and 76 Runs (But Tense Moments)
While the end margin was wide, the third-day collapse after being 215/2 turned this into a psychological thriller. One session turned the game, showcasing how even games with large margins can feature internal close finishes where momentum wildly swings.
Key Player: Ollie Robinson
| Player | Wkts | Runs | Overs | Maidens | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ollie Robinson | 5 | 65 | 15 | 3 | 5/65 |
8. Nottingham 2007 – India Won by 7 Wickets
This Test is remembered for Zaheer Khan’s ball-wiping incident with jelly beans and his brilliant bowling. India chased a tricky 73-run target amidst drama and nerves, cementing this Test as one of the lesser-celebrated close finishes.
Key Player: Zaheer Khan
| Player | Wkts | Runs | Overs | Maidens | Inns |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zaheer Khan | 5 | 75 | 25 | 6 | 2nd |
7. Oval 1979 – Match Drawn
India came heartbreakingly close to chasing 438. At 429/8, they were on the verge of scripting history. But the last two wickets couldn’t cross the line. The emotions that swirled through the Indian camp captured the essence of close finishes, so close, yet so far.
Key Player: Sunil Gavaskar
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunil Gavaskar | 221 | 443 | 21 | 0 | 49.88 | Match Drawn |
6. Kolkata 1972 – India Won by 28 Runs
England needed just 192 in the fourth innings. But on a tricky Eden surface, India’s spinners tightened the screws. Chandrasekhar was the wrecker-in-chief as England collapsed from 117/3 to 163 all out. A breathtaking entry in the log of close finishes.
Key Player: BS Chandrasekhar
| Player | Wkts | Runs | Overs | Maidens | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B. S. Chandrasekhar | 5 | 62 | 24 | 6 | 5/62 |
5. Chennai 1985 – Match Drawn
England set a target of 136 in 20 overs. The Test appeared headed for a draw until India’s aggressive start raised hopes of a stunning chase. In the end, they fell short, but the spirited run chase turned this dead rubber into one of the most entertaining close finishes.
Key Player: Mohammad Azharuddin
| Player | Runs | Balls | SR | 4s | Inns |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammad Azharuddin | 54 | 56 | 96.4 | 8 | 4th |
4. Lord’s 2014 – India Won by 95 Runs
A Test full of swings and shifts, where Ishant Sharma’s hostile short-ball barrage on the final day broke England’s resistance. His 7-wicket haul turned a match heading for a draw into a nail-biting finish. One of the most unexpected close finishes abroad for India.
Key Player: Ishant Sharma
| Player | Wkts | Runs | Overs | Maidens | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ishant Sharma | 7 | 74 | 23 | 4 | 19.7 |
3. Mumbai 2006 – England Won by 212 Runs
England’s inexperienced squad, minus several key players, stunned the hosts by defending a target in deteriorating conditions. Shaun Udal’s off-spin brilliance bundled India out for 100. Though the margin seems wide, the tension leading to the collapse marked it as one of the emotional close finishes, with England triumphing against all odds.
Key Player: Shaun Udal
| Player | Wkts | Runs | Overs | Maidens | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shaun Udal | 4 | 14 | 10 | 3 | 4/14 |
2. Bangalore 1972 – Match Drawn
On a dusty wicket, England’s bowlers almost turned the tide. Chasing 224, India was tottering at 210/9 when the last pair Bedi and Chandrasekhar batted out the final overs. The Test ended in a gripping draw, a textbook example of how close finishes don’t always end in wins or losses, but in heart-pounding uncertainty.
Key Player: Bishan Singh Bedi
| Player | Wkts | Runs | Overs | Maidens | Econ | Batting (2nd Inns) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bishan Bedi | 3 | 45 | 27 | 10 | 1.66 | 4* (held out draw) |
1. Chennai 2008 – India Won by 6 Wickets
In the aftermath of the Mumbai terror attacks, this Test was more than a cricket match; it was a symbol of resilience. England set India a daunting 387-run target. What followed was a chase for the ages, led by Virender Sehwag’s blitz and Sachin Tendulkar’s masterclass under pressure. India secured a win with 6 wickets in hand, marking one of the greatest close finishes ever witnessed in Chennai.
Key Player: Sachin Tendulkar
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR | Inns | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sachin Tendulkar | 103* | 196 | 9 | 0 | 52.55 | 4th | India won by 6 wkts |
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