In the fierce and storied rivalry between India and England in Test cricket, battles are often defined by marquee players, breathtaking centuries, and ferocious five-wicket hauls. But now and then, amidst the cacophony of the crowd and the intensity of the contest, a quieter story unfolds, one that belongs not to the starting XI but to the man waiting in the wings. These are the games that were won by the 12th man, moments when substitutes stepped out of the shadows and into legend.
Traditionally, the role of the 12th man has been relegated to carrying drinks, fielding in emergencies, and offering moral support. Yet, Test cricket has seen exceptional instances where these unlikely contributors rose to influence the match dramatically. From stunning catches to crucial substitute innings, their interventions have often tilted the match in their team’s favour. Let’s journey through five such India vs England Tests that were won by the 12th man, celebrating the unsung gladiators of cricket’s grandest format.
5. Ahmedabad, 2021 – Axar Patel Makes Dream Debut as Late Inclusion
Initially not slated to play the pink-ball Test, Axar Patel was brought in after Ravindra Jadeja failed a late fitness test. Technically, Axar was in the squad but acting as the 12th man before the toss. In what became one of the shortest completed Test matches in modern history, Axar demolished England’s batting with his lethal accuracy.
He took 11 wickets in the match and shared the honours with Ashwin. But it was Axar’s spell under lights in the first innings that set the tone. England never recovered. This was emphatically won by the 12th man, whose match figures made his late entry one of the most impactful in India-England Test history which was won by the 12th Man
Axar Patel – Ahmedabad 2021
| Match Role | 1st Inn Wickets | 2nd Inn Wickets | Economy | Debut Impact | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Late Inclusion | 6/38 | 5/32 | 2.05 | Match haul of 11 | India won by 10 wickets |
4. Chennai, 2016 – Parthiv Patel’s Surprise Inclusion Turns Heads
When Wriddhiman Saha was ruled out of the Chennai Test due to injury, Parthiv Patel, initially the backup keeper and 12th man, was asked to don the gloves. Not only did he keep wickets efficiently on a turning track, but he also opened the innings with flair, scoring a brisk 71 in the first innings.
His rapid runs put India in a dominant position, allowing the middle order to play freely. India went on to post a mammoth 759/7 declared and crushed England by an innings. This match, like a few others, was won by the 12th man who turned the tide from the top of the order.
Parthiv Patel – Chennai 2016
| Match Role | Innings 1 | Innings 2 | Catches | Opening Stand | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stand-in Opener & Keeper | 71 | DNB | 2 | 152 with Rahul | India won by an innings and 75 runs |
3. Nottingham, 2014 – Stuart Binny’s Heroic Fielding Saves India
India’s stunning overseas win at Trent Bridge in 2014 is mostly remembered for Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s swing and Ajinkya Rahane’s elegant century. But lost in that script is Stuart Binny’s pivotal role as the 12th man, fielding for an injured Ishant Sharma on Day 4.
Binny’s boundary-saving dives and a direct hit to run out Moeen Ali stemmed England’s momentum. With the hosts chasing 219 in the fourth innings, every run saved was vital. The direct hit was a game-changer and shifted the pressure back on England. This was a Test that was won by the 12th man, thanks to Stuart Binny’s hustle and presence of mind in the field.
Stuart Binny – Nottingham 2014
| Match Role | Direct Hits | Saves | Overs on Field | Run-out Victim | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Substitute Fielder | 1 | 5+ | 45 | Moeen Ali | India won by 95 runs |
2. Mohali, 2006 – Dinesh Karthik’s Flying Catch Changes the Match
While MS Dhoni was India’s mainstay behind the stumps in the 2006 home series against England, an unexpected twist unfolded in Mohali when Dhoni walked off due to dehydration. In came Dinesh Karthik, the 12th man, who was primarily warming the benches till that moment.
What followed was a jaw-dropping diving catch to dismiss Kevin Pietersen off Sreesanth’s bowling, an act of brilliance that turned the match on its head. England’s middle order collapsed after that, and India took a 1-0 series lead. The Test was won by the 12th man, with Karthik’s acrobatic fielding effort becoming the stuff of legend.
Dinesh Karthik – Mohali 2006
| Match Role | Catches | Stumpings | Overs on Field | Impact Moment | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Substitute Keeper | 1 (Pietersen) | 0 | 38 | Diving catch | India won by 9 wickets |
1. Kanpur, 2001 – Deep Dasgupta Replaces Samir Dighe and Saves the Day
It was meant to be a straightforward Test match, but a last-minute injury to first-choice wicketkeeper Samir Dighe meant Bengal’s Deep Dasgupta, originally named as the 12th man, was rushed into the playing XI. What followed was a gritty tale of survival and redemption.
India was under immense pressure in the fourth innings, chasing a tricky 174. With wickets tumbling around him, Deep Dasgupta held his nerve and stitched a crucial partnership with Rahul Dravid. His 35* off 99 balls didn’t just delay England’s celebrations; it drained their spirit. Though not an extravagant score, it came in a high-pressure scenario that turned the tide in India’s favour. The match was ultimately won by the 12th man, with Dasgupta’s calm under pressure becoming the turning point.
Deep Dasgupta – Kanpur 2001
| Match Role | Runs | Balls | Dismissals | Key Partnership | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stand-in Wicketkeeper | 35* | 99 | 2 catches, 1 stumping | 54 with Dravid | India won by 3 wickets |
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