The highly anticipated India-England Test series will begin on Thursday, January 25, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. – Joe Root
During the T20 World Cup preparations, the attention has switched to Test cricket, with a five-match Test series on the horizon after a time.
England will attempt to become the first side in 12 years to win a Test series in India.
They will be without Harry Brook, who has withdrawn from the trip due to personal reasons, and his absence will be a significant setback in England’s bid for historic success.
The rivalry between India and England in Test cricket dates back to 1932 when India played its first Test. – Joe Root
The two sides have had some exciting confrontations over the previous ninety-two years, and the forthcoming series promises to be a challenge for India, despite their flawless record at home.
Batting in India hasn’t been easy in recent years, with spin playing a significant role from day one.
The number of runs and ability to bat for extended periods helped England win their last tour of India in 2012.
They plan to learn from the tour and try to reproduce something similar.
With that stated, let us take a look at England’s all-time best-run scorers versus India in Tests:
No.5: David Gower scored 1391 runs in 24 Tests
David Gower, one of the most visually appealing hitters in cricket history, is sixth on the list of England’s top Test run scorers against India.
Gower, at his peak, was a sight to behold and made batting appear impossibly easy. His grace made him a fan favorite.
Gower made 1391 runs against India in 24 Tests between 1979 and 1990, with an excellent average of 44.87, including two centuries and six half-centuries.
Gower’s greatest score against India came in his maiden Test, an unbroken 200 in 1979.
Gower scored great runs on his debut trip to India, but he fell short of a century.
Gower scored 375 runs in six Tests, averaging 46.87, including four half-centuries.
On his second and last trip to India, Gower scored only 167 runs in seven innings.
No.4: Kevin Pietersen scored 1581 runs in 16 Tests
The flamboyant blonde-streaked athlete, who made his Test debut in 2005 during the historic Ashes series, completed his career as one of the best hitters to have ever represented his country.
Pietersen has 1581 runs in 16 Tests, an average of 58.55, with six centuries and as many half-centuries.
While English hitters in the past have scored runs against India, they have not scored well against quality spin in recent years.
Pietersen’s 186 in Mumbai during England’s 2012 tour of India is still considered one of the finest innings by a visiting batsman in spin-friendly conditions.
Pietersen made 216 runs in three Tests at an average of 36 on his debut tour of India in 2006, including several half-centuries.
Pietersen averaged 48.28 during his final tour of India in 2012, scoring 338 runs in four Tests.
No.3: Graham Gooch has 1725 runs in 19 Tests
Graham Gooch, one of the finest spin hitters of his day, made his highest Test score against India and is third among England’s all-time run scorers against India.
Gooch has 1725 runs in 19 matches, averaging 55.64, with five centuries and eight fifties.
Gooch was one of England’s most prolific run scorers in the late 1970s and the early 1990s.
Gooch, like Gower, played his debut Test series against India in 1979.
His first tour of India was notable for him, as he scored 487 runs in six tests.
He produced an outstanding century in Chennai, paving the path for continued success in subcontinental conditions.
Gooch’s final visit to India in 1993 was forgettable, as he scored only 47 runs in four innings.
No.2: Alastair Cook scored 2431 runs in 30 Tests
Alastair Cook is still one of the most decorated openers in history, as well as England’s all-time leading Test run-scorer.
He adored playing against India, whether at home or away.
Cook enjoyed a breakthrough tour to India in 2012, with England winning the series 2-1.
Cook scored a stunning 562 runs in four Tests, averaging 80.28 and including three centuries.
Cook’s success against several top-tier spinners was due to a combination of patience and superior talents.
Cook set his greatest Test score just a year before making history in India during India’s 2011 tour of England.
Cook struck 294 in the last Test against India in Birmingham, as England swept the series.
No.1: Joe Root scored 2526 runs in 25 Tests
Joe Root, a modern-day great, owns the record for the most runs scored by an English batsman in Tests against India.
From 2012 to 2022, Root scored 2526 runs in 25 Tests at an average of 55.86.
Joe Root enjoys batting against India, having achieved nine hundred against them.
Root’s Test cricket career began in India in 2012 when he wowed everyone with a tough and determined performance of 73 (229).
Root is a lot more aggressive player now, but his debut knock demonstrated how excellent he was against spin.
Root made 518 runs during India’s tour of England in 2014, with two century and three half-centuries.
Joe Root rediscovered his range on his first full-fledged tour of India in 2016, scoring a century in the opening Test in Rajkot.
Four more half-centuries followed, but England lost the series 4-0.
Root’s best score against India came on England’s previous trip, in 2021.
Leading the squad, he produced a superb 218 in the first Test in Chennai, securing England’s lone victory in the series.
He failed to score a fifty in each of England’s following three games, as the team lost the series 1-3.
Also Read: First Test between India and England: Rough lineups, match forecast, pitch report