In Test cricket, it’s the top-order batsmen who often hog the limelight with grand partnerships and elegant strokeplay. But it is those gritty, game-defining stands lower down the order, often stitched together by tail-enders and resolute all-rounders, that truly define resilience and character. In the storied rivalry between India and England, such instances have become folklore: moments when the match seemed gone, only to be salvaged or turned around by an impactful partnership forged by batsmen from No. 7 or lower.
Whether it was to save a Test, chase down a tricky target, or frustrate the opposition into submission, these impactful partnerships stood out not just for their runs but for their timing and courage. Let’s delve into the Top 5 Impactful Test Partnerships below No. 7 in India vs England Tests, where defiance met destiny and changed the course of the match.
5. Ian Botham & Bob Willis – 1981, Mumbai (England) – 70 Runs for 8th Wicket
In a pressure-cooker situation at the Wankhede Stadium, England was crumbling at 166/7. Then entered Ian Botham. In typical swashbuckling style, he forged a 70-run stand with Bob Willis, hauling England to 296. Botham’s belligerence and Willis’s stubborn defence made this a classic impactful partnership. Though England eventually lost the match, this lower-order resistance ensured the contest was far closer than it should’ve been, keeping India at bay for long stretches.
Statistics Table:
| Player | Position | Runs Scored | Balls Faced | Fours | Sixes | Partnership Runs | Match Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ian Botham | No. 7 | 80 | 122 | 10 | 1 | 70 (with Willis) | India won by 138 runs |
| Bob Willis | No. 9 | 24 | 58 | 2 | 0 | 70 (with Botham) |
4. Jasprit Bumrah & Mohammed Shami – 2021, Lord’s (India) – 89 Runs for 9th Wicket
In one of the most dramatic turnarounds in recent India vs England Tests, India was 209/8 in the second innings. A draw seemed likely, maybe even a defeat. But Bumrah and Shami had other ideas. Their impactful partnership of 89* not only deflated the English bowlers but also shifted the momentum in India’s favour. Shami hit a memorable 56* with crisp boundaries, while Bumrah played the perfect foil. The partnership became the emotional turning point, leading to England’s dramatic collapse later and a thrilling Indian win.
Statistics Table:
| Player | Position | Runs Scored | Balls Faced | Fours | Sixes | Partnership Runs | Match Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammed Shami | No. 10 | 56* | 70 | 6 | 1 | 89* (with Bumrah) | India won by 151 runs |
| Jasprit Bumrah | No. 7 | 33* | 70 | 3 | 0 | 89* (with Shami) |
3. Sam Curran & Adil Rashid – 2018, Southampton (England) – 55 Runs for 9th Wicket
With England at 86/6 in their second innings, it was young Sam Curran’s fearless batting that lifted England out of trouble. His impactful partnership with Adil Rashid, worth 55 valuable runs, propelled England to 271, setting India a tricky 245-run target on a deteriorating pitch. Curran’s aggressive counter-punching and Rashid’s composure were central to this lower-order revival. Though England’s top order failed, this impactful partnership laid the groundwork for a 60-run win that sealed the series.
Statistics Table:
| Player | Position | Runs Scored | Balls Faced | Fours | Sixes | Partnership Runs | Match Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Curran | No. 8 | 46 | 67 | 6 | 1 | 55 (with Rashid) | England won by 60 runs |
| Adil Rashid | No. 10 | 20 | 57 | 2 | 0 | 55 (with Curran) |
2. R Ashwin & Virat Kohli – 2016, Visakhapatnam (India) – 64 Runs for 7th Wicket
While Kohli was playing the innings of a lifetime, scoring 167, wickets were tumbling at the other end. India was 361/6 when Ashwin walked in. Their impactful partnership of 64 runs not only pushed India to 455 but ensured England batted under scoreboard pressure on a turning track. Ashwin rotated strike masterfully and stayed long enough to anchor the lower order while Kohli continued his dominance. This impactful partnership helped India gain a massive 200+ run lead and paved the way for a resounding 246-run victory.
Statistics Table:
| Player | Position | Runs Scored | Balls Faced | Fours | Partnership Runs | Match Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | No. 4 | 167 | 267 | 18 | 64 (with Ashwin) | India won by 246 runs |
| R Ashwin | No. 7 | 58 | 95 | 7 | 64 (with Kohli) |
1. MS Dhoni & Bhuvneshwar Kumar – 2014, Lord’s (India) – 90 Runs for 8th Wicket
On a seaming Lord’s wicket, India was teetering at 145/7 in the first innings, staring at yet another England domination. But in came Bhuvneshwar Kumar to join his skipper MS Dhoni, and what followed was a calm, calculated counter-attack. The duo added 90 runs, frustrating England and pulling India to a respectable 295. This impactful partnership was the beginning of India’s eventual dominance in the match, leading to a historic 95-run win. While Dhoni kept the scoreboard ticking with his experience, Bhuvneshwar showcased his all-round credentials with measured strokeplay.
Statistics Table:
| Player | Position | Runs Scored | Balls Faced | Fours | Partnership Runs | Match Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS Dhoni | No. 6 | 82 | 140 | 9 | 90 (with Kumar) | India won by 95 runs |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | No. 9 | 36 | 71 | 3 | 90 (with Dhoni) |
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