Former England captain Joe Root is within reach of equalling a remarkable Test record held by two of the game's greatest all-time players—Ricky Ponting and Jacques Kallis. As England prepares for the second Test in the current five-match series against India, everyone will be watching Root, who is just one fifty-plus score behind the elite pair. There is no doubt that Joe Root's reliability with the bat has marked him out among the modern greats, and should he earn another fifty as his 103rd Test fifty-plus score, it would reaffirm his stature as a long-term high-class performer in the longest form of the game.

At present, Root has had 102 scores of fifty or more in Test cricket, while both Ponting and Kallis retired with 103 to their names, while only Sachin Tendulkar (119 fifty-plus scores) out-ranks them both. The ability to perform under pressure and his solid technique saw Root racking up 13,087 Test runs at an average of 50.92, placing him among England's best/fingers (reliabilities and proven performers) during several generations of players.

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

In the first Test of the series at Headingley, Root helped with scores of 28 and an unbeaten 53*, as England chased 371. Reassured by this form, the 34-year-old will be looking to make history in the second Test at Edgbaston. A big innings could see him equal or even overtake the tallies of Ponting and Kallis, solidifying his modern legend status. The milestone awaits, and the stage is perfectly set for Root to rise once again.

England lead Test series 1-0

England took a 1-0 lead in the five-match Test series with a convincing five-wicket victory at Headingley. Despite trailing by a small margin after the first innings, the hosts maintained control and chased down a daunting 371-run target with confidence. Ben Duckett starred with the bat, scoring 62 and a match-winning 149, earning him the Player of the Match award. Key contributions also came from Ollie Pope, Harry Brook, skipper Ben Stokes, and pacer Josh Tongue, showcasing the team's all-round strength.

Looking ahead to the second Test at Edgbaston, the Stokes-led England side will aim to extend their lead. The management has backed the same playing XI that featured in the series opener, reflecting their trust in the current squad. Meanwhile, India, under the leadership of Shubman Gill, will need to address key areas and deliver a more polished performance. The visitors will be keen to bounce back strongly and level the series, but they’ll have to bring their A-game to challenge a confident and in-form English team.

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.

See Also: ENG vs IND: Yashasvi Jaiswal on brink of history, eyes 49-year-old record in Edgbaston Test

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.

Since T20 Cricket was introduced more than two decades ago, the format was dominated by the batters, but as more T20 matches were held, bowlers became more accurate by sharpening their skills and by working on their variety. Bowlers became smarter and adjusted their lengths depending on the wickets and playing conditions to outfox the batters. The bowlers worked on bowling wicket-taking deliveries. In this piece, we discuss three bowlers who have racked up the most wickets in T20 cricket.

 The players mentioned in the list have showcased their skills time and again to get crucial breakthroughs for their sides that have changed the outcome of many matches. The bowlers mentioned in the list possess different skill sets depending on their strengths to bowl in different conditions and wickets, but their efficiency and consistency in taking crucial wickets have been second to none. We discuss these bowlers in detail:

1.Sunil Narine (574 wickets in 536 T20 games)

The former West Indian spinner has been among the most popular T20 players in the shorter format, as the spinner has played for different franchises in different T20 leagues globally. Narine has claimed 574 wickets in 536 T20 games in his T20 career so far.

He has this ability to change the length at the last moment by outsmarting the batters. Narine's variety enables him to take wickets on flat batting surfaces. The 37-year-old's bounce and flight are difficult to judge, making him a deadly option.

2.Imran Tahir (531 wickets in 428 T20 games)

The former South African leg spinner's deceptive length has troubled the batters. Tahir can outsmart the batters with his googlies and faster ones as the 46-year-old changes his length, keeping in mind a batter's strength.

Tahir doesn't turn the ball a long way, but his ability to attack the stumps and his ability to hold his line contain the runs and even help him get wickets. He has claimed 531 wickets in 428 T20 games. Tahir has the reputation of getting breakthroughs during the middle overs.

Also Read:Full list of catch efficiency in Tests at Slips and Gully since 2023 ft. India

3.Shakib Al Hasan (492 wickets in 444 T20 games)

Undoubtedly amongst the most skilful off-spinners in modern-day cricket, Shakib's length is difficult to read due to his round-arm action. Shakib uses his wrists and fingers cleverly, enabling him to turn the ball.

His flight and his ability to use the popping crease cleverly enable him to land the ball in the right areas, helping him gain wickets consistently in the T20 format. His biggest strength is his ability to take wickets during pressure situations. The left-arm spinner has claimed 492 wickets in 444 T20 games in his career.

A stunning catch in the slip cordon or in the gully can change the whole complexion of a match. Especially when the ball moves a lot, batsmen find it difficult to connect it in the middle of the willow. To trap the batters, teams often post fielders in the slips or in the gully or in both positions at the same time.

Fielding in these positions is considered some of the toughest tasks for fielders to accomplish. A few selected players from a playing XI can be spotted in those crucial spots.

In recent times, India's fielding was pretty sloppy against England in Headingley during the 1st of the ongoing 5-Test series. Because of multiple dropped catches, England's batters got extra lifelines on numerous occasions. 6,770 kilometers away from England, in Barbados, the West Indies faced a similar problem against their first of 3-match Test series against Australia.

Read More: Latest WTC points table after Australia beat West Indies: Where does India stand?

Multiple drop catches put effect on matches

Despite bowling with grace, especially in the first innings, multiple drop catches turned out to be crucial as the former World Test Champion side defeated the host team. In modern cricket, outside the field, there are always discussions about various parameters and stats.

Drop catches are also registered in the stat book. In a recently published stat report, cricket fans came to know about the catch efficiency in Tests at Slips and Gully since 2023. Through this article, we'll discover the numbers. 

Full list of catch efficiency in Tests at Slips and Gully since 2023

Fielding is undoubtedly one of the important aspects in T20 Cricket. A brilliant catch can turn the game on its head and decide the outcome of a particular match. Since the format was introduced about two decades ago, the format has witnessed changes in all departments. Fielding has become one of the prime factors.

T20 cricket has witnessed some of the finest fielders who have showcased their class with some class fielding and outstanding catching abilities. In this piece, we discuss five players who have taken the highest catches in the shorter format. Although their fielding techniques have varied but they have been effective for the sides they have represented. We discuss these players in detail:

1.Kieron Pollard (386 catches in 700 T20 games)-

The Burly Trinidadian has taken some brilliant catches in the outfield. The 38-year-old played for different franchises in T20 tournaments globally. Pollard took 386 catches in 700 T20 games in his career. Like his destructive batting, the former West Indian all-rounder was a sharp fielder in the deep with his catching. Pollard's reach allows him to time his jump perfectly while taking catches at the boundary. He can be a reliable fielding option in all fielding positions

2.David Miller (318 catches in 530 T20 games)-

Miller showcased tremendous intensity on the field with his ability to take difficult catches inside the ring as well as at the boundary. The South African left-hander has taken 318 catches in 530 T20 games. Miller has shown his prowess with his hard shitting batting but as a well fielder the 36 year old is lighting quick. Miller has taken some brilliant catches while fielding at the point and cover area. 

3.Dwayne Bravo (275 catches in 582 T20 games)-

Another Trinidadian who has showcased outstanding fitness as a fielder, setting high standards on the field. The 41-year-old former West Indian all-rounder has taken 275 catches in 582 T20 games with his lightning-quick fielding. Bravo's ability to anticipate and time his jump perfectly is simply amazing.

 Bravo has played for different franchises globally in different T20 tournaments, where he has plucked some glorious catches. His ability to attempt a catch at backwards point, short third man and cover is amazing. Bravo has a rocket arm through which he can execute powerful throws. He can also field at gully and slips.

Also Read:Players with most T20 hundreds ft Glenn Maxwell

4.James Vince (244 catches in 438 T20 games)-

James Vince's quick reflexes and his ability to judge a catch inside the ring is second to none. The 34-year-old English cricketer has taken 244 catches in 438 T20 games, taking some unbelievable catches at long on and deep square leg. He can be a vital option at cover or point area. Vince has the ability to cover the ground quickly.

5.Glenn Maxwell (244 catches in 472 T20 games)-

Maxwell's athleticism is second to none as the Australian right-hander has taken some brilliant catches at point as well as the covers area. Maxwell can destroy the best bowling line-ups on his day with his destructive batting, but as a fielder, he is equally brilliant. The 36-year-old is a fine catcher at the silly point and short leg area. He can execute powerful throws from the outfield. He has taken 244 catches in 472 T20 games.

The Indian team has entered a new phase as India is up against England under the captaincy of a new skipper, Shubman Gill. Whenever the Indian team has played against the Three Lions in England, we have witnessed some exciting moments.

In this article, we discuss three Indian bowlers who have claimed the highest wickets in testing and challenging English conditions. The bowlers mentioned in the list have showcased ice-cool temperament and used their bowling skills cleverly to outfox the English batters. We discuss these bowlers in detail:

1.Ishant Sharma (51 Wickets in 15 Tests)

Ishant Sharma has bowled well in seaming English conditions as the pacer has claimed 51 wickets in 15 tests that he has played in England against England. During the Lord's test in July 2014, he registered figures of 7/74 in the second innings, helping India win by 95 runs.

Sharma troubled English batters with his swing, pace and bounce as he used his length to good effect. He claimed 18 wickets during the 2018 tour of England and toured England four times.

2. Kapil Dev (43 Wickets in 13 Tests)

Former India all-rounder showcased impressive skills when it came to causing problems with his clever outswingers or leg cutters. He could generate pace even on slow wickets. The former India captain toured England four times with two five-wicket hauls.

He registered his best figures of 5/125 during the Lord's Test in June 1982. Kapil Dev claimed 43 wickets in 13 tests he played in England against England. The Haryana Hurricane, as he was fondly called during his playing days, claimed 16 wickets during India's tour of England.

3. Mohammad Shami (42 Wickets in 14 Tests)

Mohammad Shami has produced some impressive performances with his clever seam movements combined with his pace in testing English conditions. The 36-year-old pacer toured England three times, claiming 42 wickets in 14 tests. 

Shami registered his best bowling figures in tests in England in 2014 when he registered figures of 4/57 at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. During the 2018 series, he registered 16 wickets in 5 tests.

Finally, South Africa managed to win an ICC trophy by beating Australia in the 2025 WTC final at lords, which wiped out their chokers tag. Chasing 282 was a tough ask, but Aiden Markram's 136 and captain Temba Bavuma's 66 made things look simple. Pacer Kagiso Rabada played his part, claiming 9 wickets in the entire match.

Aiden Markram was announced the player of the match. The right-hander was also a part of the under-19 World Cup team that won the trophy in 2014 in the UAE. In this piece, we highlight three South African players who were part of both the 2025 WTC final as well as the 2014 Under-19 World Cup final team:

1.Aiden Markram

Markram was the core of the South African batting lineup in the 2025 WTC final. The right-hander got out for a duck in the first innings but scored a stupendous 136 in the second innings, helping his team chase 282 in difficult playing conditions. Markram showcased a calm temperament and batted with assurance.

The 30-year-old was the captain of the under-19 team that won the 2014 under-19 World Cup in the UAE. In that tournament, he scored 370 runs with an average of 123.33 and a strike rate of 77.89, scoring 2 centuries and 1 half century. Markram scored 66 in the final of that tournament against Pakistan, where South Africa needed just 132 to win the final. In that tournament, Markram was named the man of the tournament.

2.Kagiso Rabada

Rabada played a crucial role in the 2025 WTC final as his performance laid the foundation for South Africa's win. The pacer took full advantage after South Africa won the toss and chose to bowl. The 30-year-old cracked open the Australian batting line-up in the first innings, claiming 5/51 and taking crucial wickets. In the second innings, he registered figures of 4/59. 

Rabada was also a key figure during the 2104 under-19 World Cup in UAE when he claimed 10 wickets in the tournament with best figures of 6/25 against Australia in the semi-final, an economy rate of 3.10 and an average of 10.28. He was the second-highest wicket-taker in that tournament. In the final against Pakistan, his figures were 28/1 which were quite impressive as he didn't allow the Pakistani batters to score easily.

See Also:"Probably the best innings.." Former SA-born English star awestruck after Markram's match-winning heroics in WTC Final

3. Corbin Bosch

Bosch is amongst the most exciting all rounders in South African set up at the moment. He was included in the 2025 WTC final playing XI. He made his test debut last year against Pakistan, where he claimed 4/63 in the first innings of the first test at Centurion and also scored an impressive unbeaten 81.

The 30-year-old all-rounder was the player of the match during the final of the 2014 Under-19 World Cup against Pakistan in the UAE when he registered figures of 4/15 and also claimed 9 wickets in that tournament with an average of 14.66 and an economy rate of 3.25.

Cricket and its shortest format are not alien to records. As the game evolves with the rise of franchise T20 competitions, the apex body, the ICC (International Cricket Council), awarding international status to every T20 game played between two countries worldwide, and pitches becoming increasingly flatter, have aided the format in several ways. There has been a massive surge in scoring rates, with 200-plus totals increasingly becoming just about par and the new norm. At the heart of things are batters who, at their prolific best, possess the calibre and power to uptick run-scoring, on their way to smash personal hundreds. They deal in high strike rates, profound shot-making, and percentage cricket. Their value for shots fetches them maximum rewards, even though it is risky most of the time. 

With multiple lucrative franchise-level leagues operating throughout the year, across all the cricketing nations, and beyond, players have great opportunities to gain exposure and improve their skills. Playing with foreign stars builds a social community at the expense of the international game. With the rise of such tournaments and the subsequent decline in international cricket, players have become globetrotters and ply their trade professionally with the former. These leagues, running both domestically and internationally, offer immediate monetary benefits and are tempting for players and fans alike. With drop-in pitches being used mainly for such purposes, batters have found run-scoring easy and have thus been enabled to produce scintillating knocks of greater value, both in quantity and quality. Smashing a hundred, unlike past, seems a cakewalk. Small ground boundary dimensions and the usage of modern bats have only complemented that. Let's nosedive into the charts and explore the statistics of batters currently leading the way with the most T20 hundreds. This accounts for tons in age-group cricket, national side, franchise teams, etc. 

See Also: Top 10 Memorable Moments from IPL 2025

Players with the most T20 hundreds 💯🔥

Glenn Maxwell equals Klinger, Warner, Finch, Butter, and Rohit 🤝 pic.twitter.com/LBRNwiWfL2

— CricketGully (@thecricketgully) June 18, 2025

Christopher Henry Gayle, also nicknamed 'The Universe Boss', is miles ahead of every other batter in the table. The now-retired Caribbean legend boasts an astonishing 22 T20 hundreds. These include tons for his national side, the West Indies, and all the numerous franchises he has played for. Some of the notable ones are the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), the Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League (BBL), and the Jamaica Tallawahs in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). Gayle, recognised as the best batter in T20 cricket history, was known for his effortless six-hitting, the ability to stand tall and produce humongous innings called 'Daddy Hundreds'. Babar Azam, Pakistan's run machine, is second on the list with 11 hundreds. Known as one of the most consistent batters around the world, Babar has played for quite a few domestic teams in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). 

Rilee Rossouw and Virat Kohli are next, tied on nine tons each. The former, a South African player, was once a mainstay in the middle order of the national unit and has played for reputed teams like the RCB, Somerset in England, and the Eagles in his home nation. Kohli has the most IPL hundreds (8) of any player, and once scored four of them, for the RCB, in a single season in 2016. Glenn Maxwell, currently playing in the Major League Cricket (MLC) for the Washington Freedom, has moved up the ranks after scoring 106 runs off 49 balls, including 13 sixes, in a winning cause. He is also the joint record holder for the most hundreds in T20 internationals, along with India's Rohit Sharma.

The table also includes the likes of star T20 players in David Warner, Aaron Finch, and Jos Buttler. Their names are enough to strike fear among opposition bowlers. Their T20 batting prowess is a cut above the rest, and therefore, they have been able to make names for themselves across households. A unique inclusion in the list is the veteran, Michael Klinger. The batter was a stalwart in Western Australia, and his batting single-handedly led the Perth Scorchers to glory in the BBL on several instances. 

The International Cricket Council's (ICC) World Test Championship (WTC), a two-year-long cycle of test cricket, was introduced in 2019 to guarantee relevance to the deteriorating health of the format. Its purpose, moreover, was also to bring relevance to the bilateral test cricket series by offering points for every match won. With nine top teams competing against each other across six series, 3 home and 3 away, it bridged the gap between the big three (Australia, India, and England) and the rest of the full member nations. Its third tournament cycle recently came to a fitting culmination, where the top two teams of the term locked horns in a one-off title decider. South Africa defeated the defending champions, Australia, against all the odds, in an intriguing finale at the 'Home of Cricket', Lord's, London, United Kingdom.

Having entered the final as the underdogs, though finishing at first in the points table, the Proteas were against the grit and dogged might of the Aussies. For most parts of the match, the former were behind their opponent. Conceding a first innings lead of 74 runs and being set an uphill fourth innings target of 282 to chase by the Australians, the South African team displayed immense resolve, fight, determination, and character. Down and out with their backs against the wall, the side from the rainbow nation made a mockery of the target and crossed the finishing line at last. This finally ended their 27-year wait for a senior men's ICC title, having been on the other side since 1998, while enduring profound grief, pain, silence, and unimaginable heartbreaks. Their elegant opener, Aiden Markram, produced a scintillating, player-of-the-match performance of 136 runs and anchored the chase with great support from his fellow batters.

At the heart of winning championships is usually the skipper of a team, who not only leads his/her troops from the front but also walks the talk in setting up visionary goals, and creating a conducive and inclusive culture for all. Besides his primary role of batting or bowling, a captain has to be accountable for the whole group and is the face of the team. In this context, the victorious Proteas skipper, Temba Bavuma, brings with him inspirational tales from his cricketing journey so far. Having battled racism, body-shaming, and doubters, he shut them all down with his leadership wits and batting prowess. Producing a masterclass in captaincy in this WTC cycle, Temba chartered his legacy and eventually became the owner of a few records as well. However, it is not just about him, but rather captains in general and then the top five of them in the 2023-25 period (in an array of win percentages). 

See Also: Dale Steyn emotional reaction after South Africa's WTC final win

Temba Bavuma

The 35-year-old test skipper of the South African team is inarguably the most successful captain in the 2023-25 cycle. The newly crowned WTC winners have had a terrific and memorable run under him. He led them to their elusive ICC title, ending a 27-year wait for a major trophy. In this period, Bavuma led his nation in eight matches, winning an astonishing seven and drawing the remaining one against the West Indies. His unbeaten record was a testament to the Proteas side lifting the Test Mace at Lord's. Moreover, he has been on a roll, claiming the most wins (9) in the first ten tests as captain. His clinical captaincy duties complemented his batting, too, as he finished the cycle with the second-best average (59.25 in 13 innings). Temba remained unbroken, unconquered, and undefeated this term. 

Pat Cummins

The Australian captain finished this WTC cycle with nine wins in sixteen matches. This included a memorable Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series 2024-25 win over India, played down under. The 32-year-old's formidable Aussie side entered the 2023-25 final against South Africa not only as the second-placed team in the points tally, but also as the defending champions. In June 2023, they had defeated India in the final at the Oval, London. Pat's captaincy has always been path-breaking. Being a fast bowler skipper is not everyone's cup of tea, but Cummins took 80 wickets in this phase, the most by any player. 

Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes, the captain of the English red-ball team and one of the greatest all-rounders in the game of cricket, is at the helm of the format. Quite vocal about it, he has been a driving force towards its sustainability, like a true servant. The legendary player is proving to be one of the most dominating skippers for his national side. England usually plays the maximum number of tests among all the teams. In the 2023-25 WTC cycle, Stokes led the 'Three Lions' to nine victories in seventeen test matches but lost seven of them as well. Under him, England were part of some spine-tingling and thrilling wins. They won series in Pakistan and New Zealand. Despite initially trailing 0-2 at home, his side came back to level the Ashes series against their arch-rivals, Australia, in a sensational fashion in 2023. England finished fifth in the points table and failed to occupy either of the top two spots available for the third term in a row. 

Dhananjaya De Silva

Sri Lanka's fantastic captain brought his island nation ever closer to entering the WTC final, the first time in its three editions. The batting all-rounder, who bowls off-spin, led his proud cricketing nation in twelve test matches. Under him, the Lankans secured victory in six games. The turnaround started with a comprehensive home series win against New Zealand, where they outclassed their opponent in every way. This put them in a serious contention for the final, but their stakes diminished substantially after they suffered massive home losses to Australia in a two-match rubber. Sri Lanka had to eventually content themselves with a sixth place in the teams' ranking for the 2023-25 period. 

Rohit Sharma 

Rohit Sharma's Indian test cricket team had a topsy-turvy ride in the 2023-25 WTC cycle. Coming into this one as the losing finalists on two successive occasions, the pressure was on the captain and his squad to finally deliver this term. They were in contention for a place in the final, their third on the trot, until late 2024. However, a historic home series drubbing at the hands of New Zealand seriously dented their hopes. That Kiwi whitewash left India on unprecedented grounds and required them to win at least four matches in Australia. The task proved to be daunting, and the Indians were unable to record that many wins. They lost the series 3-1 and eventually gave up on the final spot for June 2025. Under Rohit, India won eight out of the seventeen tests they played in this period and finished third on the points table. 

Only a couple of days left before the England vs. India 5-match Test series starts on Friday at Headingley, Leeds. Team India, with a newly formed squad and a young captain in Shubman Gill, will test their mettle in the English conditions, as legends like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin announced their retirements. With multiple young faces and overseas conditions, the Indian batting line-up can face some difficulties. But there is always a ray of hope. In the past, many Indian batters displayed their skills in England and marked their talents permanently. In the list of 5 best Indian batsmen in England, Virat Kohli finds his place here also. 

Check the list here:

1) Sachin Tendulkar:

The list definitely has to start with the legend Sachin Tendulkar. He played a total of 200 Tests, including 17 Tests in England from 1990 to 2011. Tendulkar's brilliance was reflected in England through his eight 50s and four 100s. In total, Tendulkar scored 1575 runs at an average of 54.31 in 30 innings in England. In his overall career, 'Master Blaster' bagged 15,921 runs at an average of 53.78. 

2) Rahul Dravid:

No matter what the conditions were, Rahul Dravid was there as 'The Wall.' The master of defense claimed 1376 runs at an average of 68.80 in 23 innings in England from 1996 to 2011. In this duration, the classical batter got six centuries and four half-centuries there in the Whites. 

Read More: SL vs BAN: Proving critics wrong Mushfiqur Rahim smashes century after 14 innings

3) Sunil Gavaskar:

When we are talking about legends and classical cricketers of Indian cricket, then the list will remain incomplete if we skip the stats of Sunil Gavaskar. He played 16 Tests from 1971 to 1986 in England and scored 1152 runs at an average of 41.14 after playing 28 innings. During this time span in England, the legend banked two hundred and eight half-centuries. 

4) Virat Kohli:

Virat Kohli, the legend and icon of modern-day cricket, ruled the cricket fields across the globe in whites before taking retirement. From 2014 to 2023, the right-handed batter played 17 Tests in England and scored 1096 runs from 33 innings with an average of 33.21, powered by two hundreds and five half-centuries. Overall, his batting average in this format settled at 46.85 with 30 hundreds and 31 fifties.

5) Dilip Vengsarkar:

One of the most underrated talents Indian cricket has ever seen. Vengsarkar, who took his batting to a different level, played 13 Tests in England from 1979 to 1990 and scored 960 runs at an average of 48.00 in 23 innings during this time. In those 13 Test matches, he generated four hundreds and as many half-centuries to show the skills he used to possess.