When it comes to Test cricket, few rivalries are as storied and intense as India vs England. The English conditions, green pitches, overcast skies, and the infamous Duke ball have traditionally troubled Indian teams over the decades. For years, England was considered an unconquerable fortress for Indian cricket. Yet, every once in a while, India shocked England at home with performances that not only defied expectations but also rewrote history.
These moments weren’t just about wins; they were statements. Be it underdog comebacks, debutant dominance, spin strangulation, or middle-order miracles, these are the matches where India shocked England at home with flair, grit, and an indomitable spirit. In this list, we relive the Top 10 Times India Shocked England at Home, including the latest 2025 Test triumph at Edgbaston, which saw the rise of a new generation of Indian match-winners.
10. Edgbaston 2007 – The One That Got Away
Though this ended as a draw, the first Test of 2007 saw India nearly pull off a win. RP Singh, Zaheer Khan, and Sreesanth rattled England early. Dinesh Karthik and Wasim Jaffer gave India a strong lead, and the draw still felt like a win.
Stats Table:
| Player | Performance | Role Played |
|---|---|---|
| RP Singh | 4/79 | Opening burst |
| Zaheer Khan | 9 wickets | Match controller |
| Jaffer & Karthik | 134 & 77 | Opening domination |
9. Trent Bridge 2018 – Virat Kohli’s Masterclass
In a must-win game, India shocked England at home in 2018 with Virat Kohli scoring 97 and 103. Hardik Pandya’s 5/28 turned the game in India’s favour. England had no answer to the all-round onslaught.
Stats Table:
| Player | Runs/Wickets | Key Contributions |
|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 200 (match) | Batting anchor |
| Hardik Pandya | 5/28 | Breakthrough bowling |
| Jasprit Bumrah | 5/85 | Final nail in the coffin |
8. Manchester 1986 – Completing a Historic Series Win
After wins at Lord’s and Leeds, India sealed the 1986 series at Old Trafford with a draw. Mohinder Amarnath’s all-round brilliance was the highlight as India claimed a rare overseas Test series win.
Stats Table:
| Player | Performance | Series Result |
|---|---|---|
| Mohinder Amarnath | 3 wickets & 30+ runs | Series clincher |
| Kapil Dev | Captaincy | Tactical genius |
| Vengsarkar | Consistent | 3 consecutive 50+ scores |
7. Lord’s 2021 – Bumrah & Shami’s Unexpected Heroics
Perhaps the most dramatic instance where India shocked England at home was at Lord’s in 2021. After a heated exchange, Bumrah and Shami stitched an unbeaten 89-run partnership for the 9th wicket before India blew England away with the ball.
Stats Table:
| Player | Performance | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Bumrah & Shami | 89* stand | Turned the match |
| Siraj | 8 wickets | Fired up finish |
| Kohli | Captain | Aggressive strategy |
6. Leeds 2002 – Dravid and Tendulkar’s Wall-Like Stand
At Headingley in 2002, India shocked England at home with one of their most disciplined batting displays. Dravid, Tendulkar, and Ganguly all struck centuries as India posted 628/8. Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh then spun India to a massive win on a seamer-friendly pitch.
Stats Table:
| Player | Runs | Innings | Role Played |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dravid | 148 | 1st | Solid foundation |
| Tendulkar | 193 | 1st | Masterful strokeplay |
| Kumble | 7 wickets | Match | Spin on pace-friendly turf |
5. Nottingham 2007 – Zaheer Leads with the Ball
India shocked England at home at Trent Bridge in 2007 with Zaheer Khan’s spellbinding 5/75. Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman provided stability with the bat, and India seized the Test with dominant all-round performances.
Stats Table:
| Player | Runs/Wickets | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Zaheer Khan | 5/75 | Reverse swing masterclass |
| Ganguly & Laxman | 79 & 54 | Vital middle-order runs |
| Dhoni | 92 | Boosted 1st innings total |
4. Lord’s 1986 – Kapil Dev’s Men Make It 2-0
Under Kapil Dev’s captaincy, India registered a rare overseas series win in England in 1986. The second Test at Lord’s was particularly memorable. Dilip Vengsarkar struck a majestic 126*, and Chetan Sharma ripped through England with a 5-wicket haul.
Stats Table:
| Player | Runs/Wickets | Notable Feat |
|---|---|---|
| Dilip Vengsarkar | 126* | Lord’s century |
| Chetan Sharma | 5/64 | Pace spearhead |
| Kapil Dev | Captaincy | Strategic leadership |
3. Leeds 2021 – India Bounce Back with Innings Victory
In 2021, after the infamous Lord’s victory, India was humbled at Headingley. Yet, they bounced back in the very next Test at The Oval with a stunning performance. Rohit Sharma scored his first overseas century, and Shardul Thakur’s twin fifties and wickets proved to be the X-factor. England was bundled out for just 210 in the fourth innings, making this another iconic moment when India shocked England at home.
Stats Table:
| Player | Runs/Wickets | Innings | Key Moments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma | 127 | 2nd | First overseas ton |
| Shardul Thakur | 57 & 60 | Both | Game-changer |
| Umesh Yadav | 6 wickets | Match | Crucial breakthroughs |
2. The Oval 1971 – India’s First Ever Win in England
Back in 1971, India shocked England at home for the first time ever. The historic win at The Oval came under Ajit Wadekar’s leadership and was powered by a brave knock from Bhagwat Chandrasekhar, not with the bat, but with the ball. His 6/38 in the second innings left England in tatters. India chased down 173 with Farokh Engineer holding firm. This win was a turning point in Indian cricket and marked India’s rise on the global stage.
Stats Table:
| Player | Performance | Bowling Figures | Key Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| B.S. Chandrasekhar | 6/38 | 18 overs | Turned match |
| Ajit Wadekar | Captain | N/A | Leadership |
| Farokh Engineer | 28* | N/A | Calm finisher |
1. Edgbaston 2025 – Gill, Akash & Siraj Script Historic Win
In the most recent Test, where India shocked England at home, it was a new-look Indian side that delivered a masterclass at Edgbaston. India mounted a monumental score thanks to Shubman Gill’s 269. But it was Siraj’s career-best 6-wicket haul in the final innings that dismantled England’s hopes of a comeback, and Akash Deep’s 10-wicket Haul made this another iconic moment when India shocked England at home.
This match stood out because of its symbolic significance. India not only levelled the series but also won in Birmingham, a venue known for English dominance.
Stats Table:
| Player | Runs/Wickets | Balls/Overs | Match Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shubman Gill | 430 | 549 | Set up win |
| Akash Deep | 10/187 | 41.1 | Maiden 10- Wicket Haul |
| Mohammad Siraj | 6/70 | 19.3 | Match-winning spell |
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