India has failed to win a Test series in England since 2007—when Rahul Dravid’s men pipped the hosts 1-0 in a three-match rubber.
Following that series win—India’s third in England and first since 1986—the visitors lost three series in a row (2011, 2014, 2018) in the Old Blighty. They came close to snapping that losing streak the last time they toured England, eventually drawing a COVID-ravaged five-match series 2-2 in 2021-22.
As India’s search for its first Test series triumph in England in 18 years coincides with the beginning of Shubman Gill’s era as captain, here is a look at the key players who made the historic win in 2007 possible.
Anil Kumble (14 wickets & 162 runs)
The legendary spinner’s heroics with the bat, rather than with the ball, are remembered more often in the context of India’s historic series win. Anil Kumble was India’s lone centurion during the series, racking up an unbeaten 110 from No. 8 at The Oval to register his solitary Test century. His knock helped India amass 664 in the first innings, making it practically impossible for England to pull off a series-levelling victory in the third and final Test.
However, Kumble’s contribution with the ball cannot be ignored. He was India’s second-highest wicket-taker during the series, with 14 scalps, and overshadowed his counterpart Monty Panesar, who only managed eight wickets in three games at an average in excess of 50.
Anil Kumble celebrates his maiden Test century.
| Photo Credit:
AFP
Anil Kumble celebrates his maiden Test century.
| Photo Credit:
AFP
Zaheer Khan (18 wickets & 28 runs)
The left-arm seamer was India’s player-of-the-series with 18 wickets at an average of 20.33. Zaheer Khan was instrumental in India’s solitary win in the series—a seven-wicket triumph in the second Test at Nottingham—picking up nine wickets in the match.
He triggered a collapse early on the opening day of the second Test by prising out Andrew Strauss and skipper Michael Vaughan as England folded for 198. His fifer in the second innings included the wickets of England’s top-six, and Zaheer broke through every time an ominous partnership threatened India.
India’s Zaheer Khan (R) claims the wicket of England‘s Alistair Cook as Andrew Strauss watches.
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REUTERS
India’s Zaheer Khan (R) claims the wicket of England‘s Alistair Cook as Andrew Strauss watches.
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REUTERS
MS Dhoni (209 runs & 6 catches)
Dhoni was good behind the stumps but even better in front of them. His unbeaten 159-ball vigil that yielded 76 runs in the second innings were crucial in India managing to draw the first Test at Lord’s.
Coming in to bat with almost 50 overs left on the final day and India already five down, Dhoni dug deep to stitch vital alliances with VVS Laxman and then the tail-enders. India eventually settled for a draw by the barest of margins, with Dhoni and S. Sreesanth playing out five overs during their last-wicket stand.
Dhoni’s second fifty of the series was of a starkly different nature—a 92-run assault off just 81 balls—as India posted 664 to put the match out of England’s grasp at The Oval.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni of India in action during day five of the first Test match.
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GETTY IMAGES
Mahendra Singh Dhoni of India in action during day five of the first Test match.
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GETTY IMAGES
Dinesh Karthik (263 runs)
In a lineup comprising Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Dravid and Laxman, Dinesh Karthik emerged as an unlikely linchpin. He was India’s top-scorer, amassing 263 runs at an average of 43.83 while doing the toughest job on a Test tour of England—opening the batting.
Karthik and Wasim Jaffer’s successful opening partnership was key to India’s triumph. They combined to average 53.67 for the first wicket, as compared to England’s average of 43.33 for the opening stand.
Dinesh Karthik hits a boundary during day five of the first Test.
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GETTY IMAGES
Dinesh Karthik hits a boundary during day five of the first Test.
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GETTY IMAGES
Sourav Ganguly (249 runs)
On the comeback trail, the stylish southpaw proved his worth by being the most consistent Indian batter in the series. His 249 runs were only second to Karthik’s 263. Sourav Ganguly was never dismissed for less than 34 runs across six innings, and averaged an impressive 49.80.
Sourav Ganguly of India in action during day three of the second Test match.
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GETTY IMAGES
Sourav Ganguly of India in action during day three of the second Test match.
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GETTY IMAGES
His top score of 79 in the first innings of the second Test was pivotal in allowing India to assume a match-defining 283-run lead after bowling England out for 198. Though he was expected to struggle against the pace and bounce of the English seamers, Ganguly handled them better than any other Indian batter—averaging 53.33 against the trio of James Anderson, Ryan Sidebottom and Chris Tremlett.