 "Shubman Gill face one of the most difficult tasks in world cricket as Indian captain in England. image: Reuters")
A first Test series as the Indian cricket team’s captain, that also away from home, in itself is a daunting task. Starting your tenure in England makes it even more challenging for Shubman Gill. Only three Indian captains have managed to win a Test series in England since 1932. In those 93 years, India have won only three series and nine matches in total in England.
Team India’s last Test series win against England came in 2007 under the captaincy of Rahul Dravid, who became the third Indian captain to win a series in England.
India’s Test series wins in England
India’s first Test series win in England had come in 1971, 39 years after Team India played its first ever match at Lord’s against England in 1932.
India won the three-match series 1-0 under the captaincy of Ajit Wadekar.
The second Test series win came under the captaincy of the legendary Kapil Dev in 1986 as India won a three-match series 2-0. However, they had to wait for 21 years for their next series win in England, which ended with Dravid’s India winning the 2007 three-match series 1-0.
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India vs England: Head-to-head in Tests in England
India also do not enjoy a good head-to-head record against England in England. Overall in 136 Tests between the two nations, England have won 51, while India have secured 35 victories. But England have been a far superior opponent in their own conditions.
In 67 Test matches between England and India in England, the visiting team has only managed nine wins. England have won 36, while 22 matches ended in a draw.
Gill is fully aware of the challenge he faces as India’s captain as he looks to join the exclusive club of Indian captains who have won Test series in England.
On the eve of the match, he spoke about the importance of winning the Test series in England and how it is much bigger than winning the IPL .
Impact Shorts
More Shorts“Definitely the Test series in my opinion. You don’t get many opportunities as a captain to be able to come to England. Maybe two, if you’re the best of your generation. Maybe three. And IPL comes every year, you get to have a crack at it every year.
“So, in my opinion, winning a Test series in England, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa are bigger,” Gill said.
The India vs England first Test starts on 20 June at 3.30 PM IST.
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