4 Players from ENG vs IND 2025 series who also featured in 2014 tour ft Ravindra Jadeja

England registered a commanding five-wicket win over India in the opening Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Headingley, Leeds, on June 24. Chasing a fourth-innings target of 371, the hosts put on an impressive batting display, taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. India’s bowling unit, missing key veterans, struggled to contain England’s aggressive approach on the final day, ultimately conceding the game despite a solid first-innings total and individual performances with the bat.

This loss comes at a transitional time for India as they are still adjusting to the retirements of stalwarts such as Ravichandran Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli. The absence of such players has created a huge gap that the young cricketers are yet to fill. On the other hand, England have kept their strong players and have maintained a strong base and settled XI to carry out impactful performances. The experience of England and outstanding all-around performances have allowed them to be more flexible and to create more pressure on Indian players.

Interestingly, a few players in the ongoing series were also part of the 2014 five-match Test series that was played between the same sides. That series was played over a decade ago, which ended in a 3-1 win for England and featured several now-veteran cricketers. In this article, we explore four such players who featured in both the 2014 and 2025 series. These players are;

4. Chris Woakes

Chris Woakes was part of the England Test squad during the 2014 series against India and remains a key member of the England Cricket Team today. In 2014 when the Test series against India happened, Woakes was still relatively inexperienced as a Test player and he had only played his Test debut during the 2013 Ashes at The Oval. The 2014 series represented good exposure for Woakes because he was beginning to build stronger foundations in his role as a bowling all-rounder as part of the new look England side. In his early Test career, there were definitely signs that Woakes was developing qualities that would ultimately lead him to be a regular in the England Test team.

Woakes played three matches in the series, bowling 71 overs, taking five wickets, conceding 217 runs - a bowling average of 43.40, which is respectable given that he was still getting his head around the longer form of the game. His performance at the time had not grabbed the headlines any further than his debut, but those three Test matches laid the foundations for what he has accomplished at Test level.

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3. Ben Stokes

Current England captain Ben Stokes, was present on the 2014 Test series against India. At the time, he was an up-and-coming all-rounder which was still trying to adapt to the rigours of international cricket, having made his Test debut in 2013. His aggressive nature and fearless attitude immediately drew comparisons to Sir Ian Botham. Even during this earlier part of Stokes's career, there were hints of the grit and flair that would characterise him going forward.

In 2014, Stokes played two Tests in the series and made an impact with ball, taking seven wickets. His bowling was the 8th highest of both teams in that series. He did not offer much with the bat, but he did aid in a 3-1 series win for England with his bowling.Through that series, the star English all rounder made an impression and began to establish himself as a key contributor to the England Test squad.

2. Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja is the only player in the current Indian squad who was part of the tour to England in 2014 for the Test series. Jadeja appeared in four Tests on that tour, taking 9 wickets. He bowled a total of 156 overs, conceding 420 runs, with a bowling average of 46.67. Although the returns are not good, his role in the team was important given the conditions, and his role with spin in sluggish conditions or controlling the middle overs in the Test matches. 

Although Jadeja played in four matches in the Test series, he was not part of the final Test at The Oval. India decided to field an attack with only seamers, including pacers and seam-bowling all-rounder Stuart Binny, despite the pitch having a track record of being good for spinners, which was a poor decision for the Test match. The team suffered a humiliating defeat, with India losing badly by an innings and 244 runs. The loss ended the series 3-1 in England's favor and showed more missed opportunities for Jadeja to play on a pitch that was conducive to spin.

1. Joe Root

Former England captain Joe Root played a pivotal role in his team’s 3-1 series win over India in the 2014 Pataudi Trophy. Widely regarded as one of England's finest batters, Root was at the peak of his powers during the series. He amassed 518 runs across seven innings, finishing as the highest run-scorer. Averaging an impressive 103.60, Root notched up two centuries and three fifties, consistently anchoring England’s innings and frustrating the Indian bowling attack with his calm and technique.

His most notable contribution came in the final Test at The Oval, where he remained unbeaten on 149. His innings helped England secure a substantial lead, allowing their bowlers to dominate India across both innings. India’s batting faltered under pressure, with only skipper MS Dhoni managing a half-century in the first innings. Root’s performance was instrumental in England clinching the series, and it cemented his reputation as a dependable match-winner in Test cricket.