A rivalry rich with history yet ever evolving, the cricketing contest between the India national cricket team and the England cricket team continues to captivate fans. Whether it's Test, ODI, or T20I, the numbers suggest a close battle with moments of dominance by both sides. Here's a detailed, story-driven breakdown of their head-to-head stats, recent standouts, and narrative trends.
Overall Head-to-Head Across Formats
The rivalry spans centuries of Test matches, decades of One-Day Internationals, and newer but no less intense T20I encounters.
- In Test cricket, they've faced off 136 times, with England winning 51, India 35, and 50 drawn matches. (bntrick.com)
- For ODIs, out of around 107 matches, India leads with 58 wins, England has 44, and there have been a handful of ties and no-results. (sportskeeda.com)
- In T20 Internationals, India holds a narrow advantage: 13 wins to England’s 11, across about 24 matches. (sportskeeda.com)
These figures point to a balanced rivalry. India seems to have pulled ahead in limited-overs, while Tests still tilt toward England overall.
Format-Specific Highlights & Milestones
Test Cricket: Enduring Rivalry with Shifting Tides
Beyond the raw head-to-head numbers, context matters:
- In England, India have had 67 Tests—winning 9, losing 36, and 22 drawn. (business-standard.com)
- At home in India, across 68 Tests, India won 22, England 14, and 32 drawn. (business-standard.com)
Recent series show a shift: The 2025 Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy (successor to the Pataudi/Anthony de Mello trophies) ended in a 2–2 draw, with standout performances including Shubman Gill scoring 754 runs and Mohammed Siraj taking 23 wickets. (en.wikipedia.org)
Notably, Gill achieved a rare feat: becoming only the fourth Indian captain to notch consecutive centuries in his first two matches in England, including a Test double century. (en.wikipedia.org)
In the fourth Test at Old Trafford (2025), India made history by fielding five left-handed batters, a first in their 93-year Test history. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
ODI & T20I: Recent Dominance and Records
In ODIs, India's edge is clear: a consistent win rate above 50% in head-to-head contests. (jagranjosh.com)
In a dramatic T20I turnaround, India sealed a 4–1 series win in early 2025. The highlight: Abhishek Sharma smashed an astonishing 135 off 54 balls, the highest T20I score by an Indian, in a crushing 150-run victory in the final match. (theguardian.com)
In another T20I at Kolkata, India chased a modest target of 133, winning by seven wickets with 43 balls to spare—marking England’s heaviest defeat in T20s by balls remaining. (theguardian.com)
Why These Figures Matter
Beyond data, there's narrative and momentum:
- India’s rising dominance in limited-overs reflects intent and execution—power hitters, strategic bowling, fearless chasing.
- In Tests, historical English advantage is being challenged. Piloted by new leaders like Gill, India are rewriting narratives on English turf.
- Milestones—like left-handed batting dominance, successive centuries, and record margins—add layers to the story.
"These numbers are more than just stats—they reflect changing dynamics, player evolution, and India’s growing confidence across formats."
This insight underscores how numbers come alive through performance, adaptation, and breakthrough moments.
Structure & Summary of Head-to-Head
Test Matches
- Total: 136. England: 51 wins; India: 35; Draws: 50.
- England historically dominant, though recent Test series shows tightening contest.
ODIs
- Total: ~107. India: 58 wins; England: 44; Others: Ties/No Results.
- India leads with a strong win percentage in head-to-head.
T20Is
- Total: ~24. India: 13 wins; England: 11.
- India with the edge, and has shown explosive dominance in recent series.
Recent Highlights
- 2025 Test series: 2–2 draw, with stellar contributions from Gill and Siraj.
- T20I series: India wins 4–1, including a historic 135-run innings by Sharma.
- Strategic shifts: left-handed batting lineup, opening new tactical dimensions.
Closing Thoughts
India vs England remains a rivalry rooted in history but evolving with every series. While England still holds the upper hand in Tests overall, India has narrowed the gap—and even flipped the script in ODIs and T20s. Young talents, bold strategies, and breaking old records signal a new chapter, especially in overseas conditions.
India’s surge across formats illustrates how rivalries grow richer: through statistics, milestones, and narrative arcs—something fans of both teams know will continue to unfold in thrilling ways.
Looking ahead, keeping tabs on emerging players, match-ups, and momentum shifts will be key for cricket enthusiasts and analysts alike.
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