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From KL Rahul’s brilliance, to Mohammed Siraj’s mastery and Rishabh Pant’s heroics, India’s 2021/22 tour of England was one for the ages. Relive the drama of the series here.
An iconic frame of the Indian team celebrating one of their most iconic Test wins ever at Lords in 2021 (AFP)
Numbers can’t capture the richness of what unfolded back when India visited England in 2021/22: historic batting performances, fiery fast bowling, crowd roars at Lord’s, heartbreaks at Headingley, and the poetry of Pant at Edgbaston.
It was a series that reminded everyone why Test cricket, in all its slow-burning glory, still remains undefeated.
Ahead of the upcoming Test series, let us revisit and explore all that transpired in the 2021/22 edition of the Pataudi Trophy:
First Test – Trent Bridge, Nottingham: A Rain-Soaked Prelude
The series kicked off at Trent Bridge with a tightly contested opening Test. England were bowled out for 183, and India responded with 278, thanks to a composed 84 from KL Rahul. In England’s second innings, Joe Root’s sublime 109 helped set India a target of 209.
With India well placed at 52 for 1, a thrilling finish seemed certain. However, persistent rain on the final day meant not a single ball was bowled, and the match ended in a draw. Though inconclusive, the match set the stage for a riveting series ahead.
Second Test – Lord’s: The Theatre of Dreams Turns Blue
If there’s a place where history breathes through the grass, it’s Lord’s. And on this occasion, India carved their name into the hallowed honours board with one of their finest away wins. KL Rahul lit up the first innings with a sublime 129, combining elegance with steel to help India post a strong total. England responded through Joe Root’s magisterial 180 not out, narrowing the gap between the sides.
The final day at Lord’s turned a tense match into a legendary Indian triumph. Resuming with a slim lead, India’s unlikely batting heroes—Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah—put on a spirited partnership, frustrating England and shifting momentum. Energized by this defiance, India’s bowlers came out roaring. With relentless pace and aggression, they dismantled England’s batting lineup.
Mohammed Siraj led the charge, claiming 8 wickets in the match and sealing a sensational win. India triumphed by 151 runs, with the final moments marked by passion, emotion, and jubilant scenes that etched this victory into cricketing folklore.
Third Test – Headingley, Leeds: A Cold Reality Check
After the euphoria of Lord’s, India faced a harsh reality check in Leeds. The third Test began disastrously as India collapsed for just 78 in the first innings—a stunning downfall after recent heroics. England seized control, piling on 432 runs with Joe Root notching his third century of the series.
Despite a more determined effort in the second innings, India couldn’t recover from the initial blow. England’s dominant innings-and-76-run victory leveled the series 1–1 and served as a sobering reminder that success in English conditions demands sustained discipline.
Fourth Test – The Oval: Redemption in the Capital
India bounced back brilliantly at The Oval after trailing in the first innings, showcasing grit and class. Rohit Sharma, consistent throughout the tour, finally reached his maiden overseas Test century with a superb 127, anchoring India’s strong second-innings total of 466. His knock shifted momentum, inspiring a solid team effort.
Chasing 368, England faltered under pressure. Jasprit Bumrah’s lethal reverse swing and Ravindra Jadeja’s control strangled the chase, leading to England’s collapse for 210. India sealed a memorable 157-run win, taking a 2–1 series lead. It was a victory built on resilience, redemption, and Rohit’s defining moment abroad.
The Fifth Test – Manchester: A Curtain Drawn Too Soon
And then, just as fans braced for a historic finale in Manchester, the tour ended—not on the field, but in the headlines. A COVID-19 outbreak in the Indian support staff led to the cancellation of the fifth Test. Disappointment rang through both camps, and cricket lovers around the world were left with what felt like an unfinished story.
The match was later rescheduled for 2022, but the momentum, the moment, and the magic of the original build-up were lost, as England won the match convincingly, and the series was drawn at 2-2.
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term…Read More
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term… Read More
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