The India national cricket team vs England cricket team timeline is one of the oldest and most fascinating rivalries in international cricket. It began in 1932, when India played its first-ever Test match against England at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London.
What started as a Test cricket rivalry has developed into a major international contest across Tests, One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). Both teams have produced memorable performances, historic victories, dramatic finishes and outstanding individual records.
India’s first Test victory against England came in 1952. In 1971, India achieved another major milestone by winning its first Test series on English soil. The rivalry later produced famous moments such as the 2002 NatWest Trophy final, Yuvraj Singh’s six sixes in an over in 2007, India’s 2024 Test series victory and the closely fought 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
The rivalry continued into 2026, with meetings in the T20 World Cup and England’s limited-overs tour.
This article covers the major milestones, important matches, historic series results and head-to-head records between the two national cricket teams.
India vs England Cricket Rivalry: An Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| First international meeting | June 25, 1932 |
| First match format | Test |
| First match venue | Lord’s, London |
| First ODI meeting | July 13, 1974 |
| First T20I meeting | September 19, 2007 |
| Main formats | Test, ODI and T20I |
| Historic Test trophy | Pataudi Trophy (later replaced by Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in 2025) |
| Latest major Test series | 2025 |
| Latest ODI meeting covered | July 19, 2026 |
The rivalry has changed significantly over the decades. England enjoyed considerable success during the early years, while India gradually developed into a competitive force both at home and overseas.
India National Cricket Team vs England Cricket Team Timeline: Major Events
The following timeline highlights important milestones in the men’s international cricket rivalry.
| Year | Format/Event | Major Moment |
|---|---|---|
| 1932 | Test | India played its first Test against England at Lord’s |
| 1933–34 | Test | England won the first Test series in India |
| 1952 | Test | India recorded its first Test victory against England |
| 1961–62 | Test | India won the home series 2–0 |
| 1971 | Test | India won its first Test series in England |
| 1974 | ODI | India and England played their first ODI |
| 1983 | ODI World Cup | India defeated England in the World Cup semi-final |
| 1986 | Test | India won a Test series in England 2–0 |
| 1987 | ODI World Cup | England defeated India in the semi-final |
| 2002 | ODI | India won the famous NatWest Trophy final |
| 2007 | T20I/Test | Yuvraj Singh hit six sixes in an over; India won the Test series in England |
| 2011 | Test | England defeated India 4–0 |
| 2012–13 | Test | England won a Test series in India 2–1 |
| 2016–17 | Test | India defeated England 4–0 |
| 2018 | Test | England won the Test series 4–1 |
| 2020–21 | Test | India won the home series 3–1 |
| 2022 | T20 World Cup | England defeated India in the semi-final |
| 2023–24 | Test | India defeated England 4–1 |
| 2024 | T20 World Cup | India defeated England in the semi-final |
| 2025 | Test | The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series finished 2–2 |
| 2026 | T20 World Cup | India defeated England in the semi-final |
| 2026 | T20I/ODI | England won the bilateral limited-overs series |
Detailed India vs England Cricket Timeline
1. 1932: India’s first-ever Test match at Lord’s
The India vs England cricket rivalry officially began on June 25, 1932, when India played its first-ever Test match at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London.
India was led by CK Nayudu, while Douglas Jardine captained England. India scored 189 in its first innings, compared with England’s 259. England then made 275/8 declared, setting India a difficult target.
India was dismissed for 187 in the final innings, and England won the historic match by 158 runs.
| Match detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | June 25–28, 1932 |
| Format | Test |
| Venue | Lord’s, London |
| India | 189 and 187 |
| England | 259 and 275/8 declared |
| Result | England won by 158 runs |
| India captain | CK Nayudu |
This match marked the beginning of India’s journey in international Test cricket.
2. 1933–34: England’s first Test tour of India
England toured India for a three-match Test series in 1933–34. It was an important stage in the development of international cricket in India.
England won the first two matches, while the third Test ended in a draw. The visitors therefore secured the series 2–0.
The matches were played in Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. England’s experience in international cricket gave them an advantage over the relatively new Indian Test side.
3. 1952: India register their first Test victory against England
February 10, 1952, became a historic date for Indian cricket. India secured their first-ever Test victory against England in the fifth Test at Madras, now Chennai.
England scored 266 in their first innings. India responded with 457/9 declared, taking a substantial lead.
England were then dismissed for 200 in their second innings. India won by an innings and eight runs.
Vinoo Mankad played a major role in the match, scoring 72 and taking 12 wickets across England’s two innings.
| Match detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | February 6–10, 1952 |
| Format | Test |
| Venue | Madras (now Chennai) |
| England first innings | 266 |
| India first innings | 457/9 declared |
| England second innings | 200 |
| Result | India won by an innings and 8 runs |
| Series result | 1–1 draw |
This victory was India’s first major breakthrough against England in Test cricket.
4. 1971: India win their first Test series in England
India achieved another landmark in 1971 when they won their first-ever Test series in England.
Under captain Ajit Wadekar, India played three Tests against England. The first two matches were drawn, but India won the third Test at The Oval.
England scored 355 in their first innings. India replied with 284 before England were dismissed for 101 in their second innings.
India needed 173 runs to win and successfully chased the target, winning by four wickets.
Bhagwath Chandrasekhar was the standout performer, taking six wickets in England’s second innings.
| Match detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Year | 1971 |
| Venue | The Oval, London |
| England | 355 and 101 |
| India | 284 and 174/6 |
| Result | India won by 4 wickets |
| Series result | India won 1–0 |
| Captain | Ajit Wadekar |
This victory changed the perception of Indian cricket overseas and became one of the defining moments in the rivalry. crickettimelines.
5. 1974: India and England play their first ODI
After more than four decades of Test cricket, India and England entered a new chapter in 1974 with their first One Day International.
The match took place on July 13, 1974, at Headingley in Leeds.
England batted first and scored 334/4 in 60 overs. India were bowled out for 132 in 42.1 overs, giving England a 202-run victory.
This match introduced a new format to the rivalry and laid the foundation for decades of ODI contests.
| Match detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | July 13, 1974 |
| Format | ODI |
| Venue | Headingley, Leeds |
| England | 334/4 |
| India | 132 |
| Result | England won by 202 runs |
6. 1983: India defeat England in the World Cup semi-final
The 1983 Cricket World Cup created one of the most important moments in Indian cricket history.
India faced England in the semi-final at Old Trafford, Manchester, on June 22, 1983.
England were bowled out for 213. India successfully chased the target, scoring 217/4 in 54.4 overs and winning by six wickets.
Yashpal Sharma scored 61 runs, while Mohinder Amarnath contributed with both bat and ball.
India advanced to the final, where they defeated the West Indies to win their first-ever Cricket World Cup.
| Match detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | June 22, 1983 |
| Tournament | Cricket World Cup |
| Venue | Old Trafford, Manchester |
| England | 213 |
| India | 217/4 |
| Result | India won by 6 wickets |
| Key performer | Yashpal Sharma |
This semi-final victory became an important part of the India-England cricket rivalry.
7. 1986: India win another Test series in England
India returned to England in 1986 and produced another outstanding Test series performance.
Under Kapil Dev’s captaincy, India won the three-match series 2–0.
India won the first Test at Lord’s by five wickets and the second at Headingley by 279 runs. The third Test at Edgbaston ended in a draw.
Dilip Vengsarkar played an important role with the bat, scoring a century at Lord’s.
The series confirmed that India’s 1971 success was not a one-time achievement.
8. 1987: England defeat India in the World Cup semi-final
The two teams met again in the 1987 Cricket World Cup semi-final, this time at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
England batted first and scored 254/6 in 50 overs. India were dismissed for 219, giving England a 35-run victory.
Graham Gooch scored 115 runs and played a decisive role in England’s win.
England advanced to the World Cup final, while India’s title defence came to an end.
9. 2002: The unforgettable NatWest Trophy final
The NatWest Trophy final on July 13, 2002, remains one of the most famous ODI matches between India and England.
England scored 325/5 in 50 overs, setting India a target of 326.
India experienced a difficult start and lost early wickets. However, Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif produced a memorable partnership that brought India back into the contest.
Yuvraj scored 69, while Kaif remained unbeaten on 87.
India reached 326/8 in 49.3 overs and won by two wickets.
| Match detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | July 13, 2002 |
| Tournament | NatWest Series final |
| Venue | Lord’s, London |
| England | 325/5 |
| India | 326/8 |
| Result | India won by 2 wickets |
| Top Indian scorer | Mohammad Kaif (87*) |
| Key performer | Yuvraj Singh (69) |
Sourav Ganguly’s famous shirt celebration on the Lord’s balcony became an iconic image in Indian cricket history.
The match also demonstrated India’s ability to chase a large target against a strong English bowling attack.
10. 2007: Yuvraj Singh hits six sixes in one over
One of the most memorable moments in the India-England rivalry occurred during the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 in 2007.
On September 19, India faced England in a Super 8 match at Kingsmead, Durban.
During the Indian innings, Yuvraj Singh hit six consecutive sixes off Stuart Broad in the 19th over.
Yuvraj reached his half-century in just 12 balls, setting a record for the fastest fifty in men’s T20I cricket at that time.
India scored 218/4 and defeated England by 18 runs.
| Match detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | September 19, 2007 |
| Tournament | ICC World Twenty20 |
| Venue | Kingsmead, Durban |
| India | 218/4 |
| England | 200/6 |
| Result | India won by 18 runs |
| Historic moment | Yuvraj hit six sixes in one over |
| Bowler | Stuart Broad |
The over remains one of the most celebrated moments in T20 international cricket.
11. 2011: England defeat India 4–0 in Test cricket
India toured England in 2011 for a four-match Test series. Expectations were high, but the hosts dominated the contest.
England won all four matches and completed a 4–0 series victory.
The series was particularly difficult for India because several important players suffered injuries, and the team struggled against England’s bowling attack.
Alastair Cook and James Anderson were among England’s key performers.
The result was a major setback for India, who had entered the series as the top-ranked Test team. crickettimelines.com+1
12. 2012–13: England win a Test series in India
England travelled to India in 2012 for a four-match Test series.
India won the opening Test in Ahmedabad, but England responded strongly.
The visitors won the second Test in Mumbai, the third in Kolkata and drew the fourth in Nagpur.
England secured the series 2–1, recording a significant overseas victory.
Alastair Cook led from the front with the bat, while Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann played important roles with the ball.
13. 2016–17: India win the Test series 4–0
India produced a dominant performance during England’s 2016–17 tour.
The five-match Test series began with a draw in Rajkot. India then won the next four matches in Visakhapatnam, Mohali, Mumbai and Chennai.
India finished with a 4–0 series victory.
Virat Kohli scored heavily, while Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja played major roles with the ball.
The series was an important demonstration of India’s strength in home Test conditions.
14. 2018: England win the Test series 4–1
India toured England in 2018 for a five-match Test series.
Despite Virat Kohli’s excellent batting performances, India struggled to win consistently against England.
England won the series 4–1. India secured a victory at Trent Bridge, but England won the other four Tests.
Joe Root, James Anderson and Sam Curran were among the notable performers for England, while Kohli was India’s leading batter.
15. 2020–21: India defeat England 3–1 at home
England toured India in early 2021 for a four-match Test series.
England won the opening Test in Chennai, but India made a strong comeback.
India won the next three matches, including the final two Tests in Ahmedabad.
The series finished 3–1 in India’s favour, helping the team qualify for the inaugural World Test Championship final.
Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel were particularly influential with the ball.
16. 2022: England defeat India in the T20 World Cup semi-final
India and England met in the second semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 in Adelaide.
India scored 168/6 in 20 overs. England chased the target comfortably, finishing on 170/0 in just 16 overs.
Jos Buttler and Alex Hales produced an unbeaten opening partnership, with both players scoring half-centuries.
England won by 10 wickets and progressed to the final, where they defeated Pakistan to become T20 World Cup champions.
17. 2023–24: India win the Test series 4–1
England started their 2024 tour of India with an impressive victory in Hyderabad.
However, India responded with four consecutive wins in Visakhapatnam, Rajkot, Ranchi and Dharamshala.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah made important contributions during the series.
The result strengthened India’s record in home Test cricket.
18. 2024: India defeat England in the T20 World Cup semi-final
India and England met again in a T20 World Cup semi-final in June 2024, repeating their knockout contest from 2022.
The match took place at Providence Stadium in Guyana.
India scored 171/7 in 20 overs. England were dismissed for 103 in 16.4 overs.
India won by 68 runs and qualified for the final, where they defeated South Africa to win the T20 World Cup.
Rohit Sharma’s 57-run innings and Axar Patel’s three wickets were important contributions.
19. 2025: India win the T20I series 4–1
India hosted England for a five-match T20I series in January and February 2025.
India won the series 4–1, showing strong performances with both bat and ball.
The series included a remarkable performance from Abhishek Sharma, who scored 135 in the fifth T20I at Mumbai.
India won that match by 150 runs, completing a dominant series victory.
20. 2025: Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy finishes 2–2
The 2025 Test series in England was another major chapter in this historic rivalry.
The five-match contest was named the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, honouring James Anderson and Sachin Tendulkar.
India and England won two matches each, while one Test ended in a draw.
The final Test at The Oval produced a dramatic finish. India defeated England by six runs on July 31, 2025, levelling the series at 2–2.
Shubman Gill led India during the series, while Ben Stokes captained England.
The close finish at The Oval made this one of the most memorable recent Test contests between the teams.
| Match detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Year | 2025 |
| Series | Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy |
| Matches | 5 |
| India wins | 2 |
| England wins | 2 |
| Draws | 1 |
| Final Test venue | The Oval, London |
| Final Test result | India won by 6 runs |
| Overall result | Series drawn 2–2 |
21. 2026: India defeat England in the T20 World Cup semi-final
The rivalry produced another high-scoring World Cup knockout match on March 5, 2026.
India faced England in the semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
India batted first and scored 253/7 in 20 overs. Sanju Samson led the innings with 89 runs from 42 balls.
England responded with 246/7. Jacob Bethell scored an outstanding 105 from 48 deliveries, but England fell seven runs short.
India won the match by seven runs and advanced to the final.
| Match detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | March 5, 2026 |
| Tournament | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup |
| Venue | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
| India | 253/7 |
| England | 246/7 |
| Result | India won by 7 runs |
| Player of the Match | Sanju Samson (89 off 42) |
| England’s leading scorer | Jacob Bethell (105 off 48) |
The match produced 499 runs between the two teams, making it the highest-scoring match in men’s T20 World Cup history at that point.
22. July 2026: England dominate the T20I series
India toured England in July 2026 for a five-match T20I series.
The first match was abandoned without a result because of rain. England then won the remaining four matches.
The most significant result came at Trent Bridge on July 7, when England defeated India by 125 runs. India were dismissed for 76 while chasing 202.
England completed a 4–0 series victory, with one match abandoned. Harry Brook was named Player of the Series.
| Date | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|
| July 1, 2026 | 1st T20I | No result |
| July 4, 2026 | 2nd T20I | England won by 4 wickets |
| July 7, 2026 | 3rd T20I | England won by 125 runs |
| July 9, 2026 | 4th T20I | England won by 9 wickets |
| July 11, 2026 | 5th T20I | England won by 56 runs |
23. July 2026: England win the ODI series 2–1
The two teams continued their limited-overs rivalry with a three-match ODI series in July 2026.
India won the opening match at Edgbaston by six wickets. England then levelled the series with a four-wicket victory in Cardiff.
The third ODI took place at Lord’s on July 19. England scored 387/3, while India finished on 360/7. England won by 27 runs and secured the series 2–1.
| Date | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|
| July 14, 2026 | Edgbaston | India won by 6 wickets |
| July 16, 2026 | Sophia Gardens | England won by 4 wickets |
| July 19, 2026 | Lord’s | England won by 27 runs |
This series gave England another limited-overs success after their dominant T20I performance earlier in the month.
India vs England Head-to-Head Record in All Formats
As of November 4, 2026, the men’s teams have played 289 international matches across Test, ODI and T20I cricket in the historical record used for this article.
India have a narrow overall advantage, with 117 victories compared with England’s 115.
| Format | Matches | India wins | England wins | Other results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 141 | 37 | 53 | 51 draws |
| ODI | 113 | 62 | 46 | 2 ties, 3 NR |
| T20I | 35 | 18 | 16 | 1 NR |
| Overall | 289 | 117 | 115 | 51 draws, 2 ties, 4 NR |
NR = No Result. Test draws are counted separately from tied matches.
India vs England Test Head-to-Head
England have historically enjoyed more success in Test cricket, particularly during the early decades of the rivalry.
| Statistic | Record |
|---|---|
| Total matches | 141 |
| India wins | 37 |
| England wins | 53 |
| Draws | 51 |
India vs England ODI Head-to-Head
India have the advantage in One Day International cricket, with more victories than England.
| Statistic | Record |
|---|---|
| Total matches | 113 |
| India wins | 62 |
| England wins | 46 |
| Ties | 2 |
| No results | 3 |
India vs England T20I Head-to-Head
India also lead the T20I rivalry, although England’s four consecutive victories in July 2026 narrowed the gap.
| Statistic | Record |
|---|---|
| Total matches | 35 |
| India wins | 18 |
| England wins | 16 |
| No results | 1 |
Most Memorable India vs England Cricket Matches
Some matches have had a particularly important impact on this rivalry.
| Year | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1952 | First Indian Test victory | India won by an innings and 8 runs |
| 1971 | The Oval Test | India won by 4 wickets |
| 1983 | World Cup semi-final | India won by 6 wickets |
| 2002 | NatWest Trophy final | India won by 2 wickets |
| 2007 | World T20 match | India won by 18 runs |
| 2022 | T20 World Cup semi-final | England won by 10 wickets |
| 2024 | T20 World Cup semi-final | India won by 68 runs |
| 2025 | The Oval Test | India won by 6 runs |
| 2026 | T20 World Cup semi-final | India won by 7 runs |
FAQs: India National Cricket Team vs England Cricket Team Timeline
1. When did India and England first play a cricket match?
India and England played their first international cricket match on June 25, 1932. It was a Test match at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. England won by 158 runs.
2. When did India record its first Test victory against England?
India secured its first Test victory against England on February 10, 1952, in Madras (now Chennai). India won by an innings and eight runs.
3. When did India first win a Test series in England?
India achieved its first Test series victory in England in 1971 under captain Ajit Wadekar. India won the three-match series 1–0.
4. When did India and England play their first ODI?
The first ODI between India and England took place on July 13, 1974, at Headingley in Leeds. England won by 202 runs.
5. Who hit six sixes in an over against England?
Yuvraj Singh hit six consecutive sixes against Stuart Broad during the 2007 ICC World Twenty20 match in Durban.
6. Who has won more matches between India and England?
Across the 289 men’s international matches covered in this article, India lead with 117 wins, while England have 115 victories.
7. What was the result of the 2025 India vs England Test series?
The five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy ended in a 2–2 draw, with one match drawn. India won the final Test at The Oval by six runs.
8. Who won the India vs England T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final?
India defeated England by seven runs on March 5, 2026, at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. India scored 253/7, while England finished on 246/7.
9. Who won the India vs England limited-overs series in July 2026?
England won the five-match T20I series 4–0, with one match ending without a result. England also won the three-match ODI series 2–1.
10. What is the name of the India vs England Test series trophy?
The historic Pataudi Trophy was used for India-England Test series in England. In 2025, the bilateral Test series was renamed the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
