When the mighty forces of India and England collide in Test cricket, history is forged not just by the usual suspects, the Kohlis, the Cooks, or the Ashwins, but also by the unsung heroes who rise from the shadows. These are the unexpected match-winner players who weren’t headlining the series, nor were they expected to single-handedly influence the outcome of a Test. Yet, in moments when their teams were gasping for air, they emerged with a spark that lit up the match.
The India vs England Test rivalry, steeped in tradition since 1932, has witnessed several underdogs leave an indelible mark. Whether it was a rookie batsman scoring a gutsy century, a part-time spinner turning into a wicket-machine, or a lower-order batsman bailing the team out of collapse, these stories of surprise match winners are what keep the essence of Test cricket alive.
Here, we look back at the Top 10 Unexpected Match-Winners in India vs England Tests, reliving those performances that defied logic, stunned critics, and etched these names in the folklore of the oldest format.
10. Hardik Pandya – Nottingham, 2018
Known more for his white-ball exploits, Pandya stunned everyone with a 5-wicket haul in the 3rd Test at Nottingham. He then followed it with a brisk 52 in the same match, proving he could be a red-ball match winner too. India won the Test by 203 runs.
Player Stats – Hardik Pandya (3rd Test, Nottingham, 2018)
| Innings | Runs | Wickets | Bowling Figures | All-Round Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 52 | 5 | 5/28 | Breakthrough spell |
9. Monty Panesar – Mumbai, 2012
Monty was considered a backup spinner behind Graeme Swann, but in the 2nd Test at Mumbai, he outbowled everyone. With 11 wickets in the match, Panesar decimated India’s famed batting lineup and helped England level the series, becoming one of the most surprising match winners in subcontinent conditions.
Player Stats – Monty Panesar (2nd Test, Mumbai, 2012)
| Innings | Wickets | Bowling Figures | Key Scalps |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 5 | 5/129 | Tendulkar, Sehwag |
| 2nd | 6 | 6/81 | Kohli, Dhoni, Yuvraj |
8. Rishabh Pant – Ahmedabad, 2021
In a low-scoring pink-ball Test dominated by spinners, Pant’s breezy 101 shifted the game in India’s favour. England was hoping to restrict India’s lead, but Pant’s counterattack flipped the script. His hundred in tough conditions made him a deserving match-winner despite Ashwin’s heroics stealing the limelight.
Player Stats – Rishabh Pant (4th Test, Ahmedabad, 2021)
| Innings | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Game Situation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd | 101 | 118 | 13 | 2 | Took India to a lead |
7. Ishant Sharma – Lord’s, 2014
For most of his career, Ishant was known for his inconsistency. But at Lord’s in 2014, he bowled one of the best short-ball spells in Indian Test history. His 7/74, especially the short-pitched barrage to England’s middle order, ensured a historic win. It was his day to become the unexpected match-winner.
Player Stats – Ishant Sharma (2nd Test, Lord’s, 2014)
| Innings | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Mode of Dismissals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd | 23 | 74 | 7 | Mostly short-ball blitz |
6. Moeen Ali – Southampton, 2014
Moeen Ali was picked more for his batting, but his off-spin broke India’s backbone in the 2014 Southampton Test. With the match in the balance, Moeen ran through India’s middle order, picking 6 wickets in the second innings. He became an unlikely match-winner, guiding England to a massive 266-run win.
Player Stats – Moeen Ali (3rd Test, Southampton, 2014)
| Innings | Wickets | Bowling Figures | Key Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd | 6 | 6/67 | Kohli, Jadeja, Dhoni, Vijay |
5. Ajinkya Rahane – Lord’s, 2014
Rahane was not the first name in the Indian batting hierarchy, but his innings at Lord’s was one for the ages. On a green pitch where Anderson and Broad were breathing fire, Rahane’s gritty 103 in the first innings gave India a defendable total. India went on to win at Lord’s after 28 years, and Rahane stood tall as an unexpected match-winner.
Player Stats – Ajinkya Rahane (2nd Test, Lord’s, 2014)
| Innings | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Match Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 103 | 154 | 15 | 1 | India won by 95 runs |
4. Bhuvneshwar Kumar – Trent Bridge, 2014
Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s role was primarily with the ball, but in the 2014 Trent Bridge Test, he was a genuine all-rounder. With England reducing India to 145/7, Bhuvi stitched a crucial 111-run partnership with Mohammad Shami, scoring 58. He followed it up with six wickets in the match. Though the Test ended in a draw, Bhuvi’s performance was the reason India stayed alive.
Player Stats – Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1st Test, Trent Bridge, 2014)
| Innings | Runs | Wickets | Bowling Figures | Notable Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 58 | 5 | 5/82 | Lower-order resistance |
| 2nd | 63 | 1 | 1/46 | Vital lower-order support |
3. Karun Nair – Chennai, 2016
Karun Nair wasn’t even part of India’s preferred XI until injuries paved the way. But once in, he made it count in the biggest way possible. His unbeaten triple century (303)* against England in Chennai remains one of the most astonishing innings by a debutant. From a backup batsman to a historic match-winner, Nair scripted magic.
Player Stats – Karun Nair (5th Test, Chennai, 2016)
| Innings | Runs | Balls Faced | 4s | 6s | Match Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 303* | 381 | 32 | 4 | India won by an innings |
2. Sam Curran – Edgbaston, 2018
Sam Curran was considered a fringe player ahead of the 2018 England summer. But in the opening Test at Edgbaston, he turned the match on its head with a fiery 63-run knock in the second innings when England were 87 for 7. He followed that with 4 wickets in India’s first innings, making him an unlikely match-winner. Curran’s all-around effort earned him Player of the Match and set the tone for the series.
Player Stats – Sam Curran (1st Test, Edgbaston, 2018)
| Innings | Runs | Wickets | Bowling Figures | Batting Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 24 | 4 | 4/74 | Lower-order resistance |
| 2nd | 63 | 0 | — | Match-turning cameo |
1. Tinu Yohannan – Mohali, 2001
Not many remember Tinu Yohannan’s short-lived Test career, but in the first Test of the 2001 series at Mohali, the lanky Kerala pacer produced a spell that shook the England top order. On a flat deck where spin was expected to dominate, Yohannan struck twice early, dismissing Marcus Trescothick and Michael Vaughan. His early breakthroughs gave India the upper hand and helped them win the match by 10 wickets.
Player Stats – Tinu Yohannan (1st Test, Mohali, 2001)
| Innings | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Key Dismissals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 10 | 2 | 35 | 2 | Trescothick, Vaughan |
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