The Indian men’s Test squad is currently in England for a five-match Test series scheduled from June 20 to August 4. Headingley in Leeds will host the first Test of the series, with Edgbaston, Lord’s, Old Trafford, and The Oval hosting the remaining games.
Shubman Gill, who was named red-ball skipper after Rohit Sharma retired from Test cricket, will be the new captain for the visitors. In England, Gill will face a formidable obstacle. With a very youthful club at his disposal, he will need to demonstrate both his batting and leadership abilities.
Before the 2025 series, India had only won nine Test matches in England. Over the years, a few bowlers have put up a lot of effort in Test matches in England. Four Indian bowlers who have bowled more than 500 overs in Test cricket in England are examined in this section.
1. Kapil Dev (563.1 overs)
The record for most overs bowled by an Indian cricketer in Test matches in England is held by former captain and all-around great Kapil Dev. From 1979 to 1990, Kapil participated in 13 Test matches in England. The former Indian fast bowler dismissed 563.1 overs in 22 innings.
With the help of two five-wicket hauls, Kapil took 43 wickets at an average of 39.18 in Test matches in England. In the first innings of the 1982 Lord’s Test, he recorded his highest score of 5-125 off 43 overs. Despite India’s Test defeat, Kapil was named Player of the Match and struck 41 and 89 (from 55 balls).
In Birmingham, the Haryana Hurricane also scored 5-146 from 48 overs in the first innings of the 1979 Test match. However, England crushed India by an innings and 83 runs, despite his best efforts with the ball.
2. Ishant Sharma (526.5 overs)
Thrown out Ishant Sharma, the pacer for Team India, is ranked second among Indian bowlers who have bowled the most overs in England. The seasoned cricket player has bowled 526.5 overs in 24 innings over his 15 Test matches in England.
With two five-fers, Ishant has taken 51 wickets at an average of 33.35 in Test matches in England. 2014 saw the lanky fast bowler record his highest Test innings totals in England at Lord’s. His short ball strategies took the hosts off stride, and he claimed 7-74 in 23 overs. Thanks to the heroics of Ishant, England was bowled out for 223 after chasing a score of 319.
In 2018, the Indian right-arm bowler also claimed 5-51 in 13 overs during the Birmingham Test’s second innings. India had to chase a goal of 194 to win the Test because of Ishant’s outstanding spell. But for 162, the guests folded up.
3. Anil Kumble (524.5 overs)
Anil Kumble, a former leg spinner for India, bowled a lot of overs during Test matches in England. The spin legend bowled 524.5 overs in 19 innings in 10 games from 1990 to 2007.
Kumble averaged 41.41 while taking 36 Test wickets in England. In the nation’s Test matches, he failed to take five wickets. at the second innings at Leeds in 2002, the former captain of India reached his best score of 4-66 from 29.5 overs. The renowned Test match’s opening innings saw Kumble take 3-93 off 33 overs.
4. Bishan Singh Bedi (524.4 overs)
Bishan Singh Bedi formerly India left-arm spinner and ex-captain has bowled 524.4 overs during test matches in England. A member of India s grand spin quartet, Bedi is probably the only spinner in the quartet to have played Test matches in England with all the others either missing out or hurt by injuries. He played 12 Test matches in England and took 35 wickets at an average of 38.08.
In Test matches in England, the former spinner for India took five wickets. During the 1974 tour, he scored 6-226 in 64.2 overs at Lord’s. During the 1971 tour, Bedi also scored 4-70 in 39.3 overs at the same location.
