New Delhi: Shubman Gill & Co. will be looking to bring an end to India’s 18-year-long wait for a Test series victory in England when they take on the Ben Stokes-led side in a five-match rubber starting on Friday, June 20. India have won only three Test series on English soil, the last of which came under former captain Rahul Dravid in 2007.
India have since toured England four times, but have failed to win a Test series against the hosts. Gill, who will be leading India for the first time in Tests after taking over from Rohit Sharma as captain last month, will be hoping to make an impact as a leader and inspire the visitors to a historic series victory in England. However, it will be an uphill task for the young and relatively inexperienced Indian team.
India are light on experience in the batting line-up in the absence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who retired from Test cricket last month. However, they have a quality bowling attack led by the lethal Jasprit Bumrah. Indian bowlers can play a key role for the visitors if they are to fancy their chances of pulling off a series win in England.
Bumrah is the only bowler in the current Indian squad who is among the top five highest wicket-takers for India in Tests against England in England. India are without senior pacer Mohammed Shami, who has also enjoyed great success in English conditions. Thus, the onus will be on Bumrah to guide the likes of Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep and Prasidh Krishna during the series to help make life easier for new skipper Gill.
Most wickets for India in Tests vs England in England:
Bishan Singh Bedi – 35
Legendary Indian left-arm spinner Bishan Singh Bedi is India’s fifth-highest wicket-taker against England in England with 35 wickets in 12 matches from 1967 to 1979. Bedi, who passed away in October 2023, picked up a solitary five-wicket haul against the hosts when he recorded his best figures of 6/226 in the Lord’s Test in 1974.
Anil Kumble – 36
Legendary Indian spinner Anil Kumble is currently India’s fifth highest wicket-taker in Test matches against England in England with 36 scalps in ten matches at an average of 41.41. Kumble picked up 14 wickets each during India’s Test tours of England in 2002 and 2007. He recorded his best figures of 4/66 in the Headingley Test against England in Leeds in 2002.
Jasprit Bumrah – 37
Ace Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah is in the fourth spot on the elite list of Indian bowlers with the most Test wickets against the hosts in England. Bumrah has played only 8 Tests against England in England, but has 37 wickets to his name at an average of 26.27, including two five-wicket hauls. Bumrah was the leading wicket-taker in India’s last Test series in England in 2021-22 with 23 wickets.
Kapil Dev – 43
Former India captain Kapil Dev is in the 2nd spot on the elite list with 43 wickets to his name in 13 Test matches against England in England at an average of 39.18. Kapil picked up two five-wicket hauls against England in their backyard and recorded his best figures of 5/125 in the Lord’s Test against the hosts in 1982.
Ishant Sharma – 48
Former pacer Ishant Sharma is the only Indian bowler with more than 50 wickets in Test matches against England in England. Ishant, who made his Test debut in 2007, played 15 Tests against the hosts across four tours of England. He picked up 48 wickets in 14 Tests at an average of 34, including two five-wicket hauls. Ishant picked up a seven-wicket haul to help MS Dhoni-led India beat England in the Lord’s Test in 2014.
Jasprit Bumrah is the only bowler from the current squad who features in the top five highest wicket-takers for India in Test matches against England in England. Here is a look at the top five Indian bowlers with most Test wickets against the hosts in England. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
