Where do Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow rank among England’s top 12 Test run-scorers against India?
Everybody loves a five Test series between two top nations, but sadly there aren’t enough of these series around anymore. But there is one coming up in June as India travel to England for Tests at Headingley, Edgbaston, Lords, Old Trafford and The Oval.
These sides first faced each other almost a century ago, when the first Test encounter between the two took place at Lords. It was a game that saw an England side skippered by Indian-born Douglas Jardine beat India by 158 runs.
In all the sides have faced each other 136 times with England winning 51 times and India 35. In that time there have been many top players in action for England.
But which of those players have scored the most runs in Tests against India? Here’s the list of the 12 players who have scored more than 1000 Test runs for England against India.
12. Michael Vaughan
1,016 Test runs for England vs India
Elegant, composed and classy — Michael Vaughan was all those things and more. He may not have had the longest run in terms of Tests against India, but when he played them, he dominated. Across just nine Tests, Vaughan racked up over 1000 runs at a staggering average.
The peak came during the 2002 tour of England by India, where Vaughan made three centuries, including a match-defining 197 at Trent Bridge. His ability to combat both pace and spin made him a consistent thorn in India’s side.
11. Geoff Boycott
1,084 Test runs for England vs India
The ever-watchful Yorkshireman was known for his stubbornness at the crease – and India found that out the hard way. Geoff Boycott was immovable once set and took great pride in occupying the crease for long periods.
His average of over 57 speaks volumes of how well he performed against the subcontinental giants. Boycott’s hundred on the 1976-77 tour of India in Bangalore helped England to a series victory, and his methodical style was tailor-made for wearing down spin attacks.
10. Mike Gatting
1,155 Test runs for England vs India
Best remembered in India for leading England to a rare series win on Indian soil in 1984-85, Mike Gatting was a strong player of spin, using his feet beautifully against the turning ball.
He was calm under pressure and had the temperament to bat for long hours in humid, slow-turning conditions. His gritty 136 in the Mumbai Test in 1984 was a masterclass in patience and control.
9. Ian Botham
1,201 Test runs for England vs India
One of the all-time great allrounders Ian Botham is as famous for his exploits with the bat as he was with the ball. His batting against India was nothing short of sensational. With an average over 70, Botham loved taking on Indian bowlers.
His attacking style meant he never allowed spinners to settle, and his power-hitting often turned games around. One of his most memorable knocks came in the Golden Jubilee Test in Mumbai in 1980, where he smashed a brilliant 114.
8. Jonny Bairstow
1,261 Test runs for England vs India
Jonny Bairstow’s inclusion may surprise some given his more modest average, but his volume of runs across multiple home and away series earns him a place. He has often been the stabilising force in England’s middle order, adapting to various conditions.
While not consistently prolific, Bairstow has had moments of brilliance, such as his back-to-back centuries in the 2022 series in England which helped ignite the ‘Bazball’ revolution.
7. Ian Bell
1,343 Test runs for England vs India
One of England’s most aesthetically pleasing batsmen, Ian Bell’s record against India is a testament to his class. Whether it was the swinging ball at home, or the turning tracks of India, Bell’s technique and timing stood out.
His century at Nagpur in 2006 was particularly special, and he often formed important middle-order partnerships during tightly contested series.
6. Ken Barrington
1,355 Test runs for England vs India
A giant of English cricket, Ken Barrington was one of the most dependable run-scorers of his time. With an astonishing average of over 75 against India, Barrington’s resilience and concentration were key.
He had a knack for grinding down bowling attacks and punishing bad balls ruthlessly. His innings of 172* at Headingley in 1967 remains one of the finest by an Englishman against India on home turf.
5. David Gower
1,391 Test runs for England vs India
David Gower’s languid grace and wristy stroke play made him a natural when it came to facing Indian bowlers. He was particularly effective in home conditions, using the pace of Indian seamers and the lack of bounce from spinners to his advantage.
One of his best innings came at Lord’s in 1979, where his 200 not out helped England secure a commanding position.
4. Kevin Pietersen
1,581 Test runs for England vs India
Kevin Pietersen loved the big stage—and there was no bigger challenge than India. Whether he was taking apart Anil Kumble in England or launching counterattacks against Ravi Ashwin in India, Pietersen played with confidence and flair.
His 186 at Mumbai in 2012 is regarded as one of the greatest innings by an overseas batsman in India, coming on a square-turning pitch and almost single-handedly winning England the Test.
3. Graham Gooch
1,725 Test runs for England vs India
Graham Gooch’s iron will and technical solidity made him a pillar of England’s top order for years. He had immense respect for the Indian bowling attack and often led by example.
His 333 at Lord’s in 1990 remains one of the highest scores ever made by an Englishman and came against a strong Indian side. That performance alone would have put him on this list, but his consistent returns across both home and away series confirm his dominance.
2. Alastair Cook
2,431 Test runs for England vs India
The longest-serving England opener, Alastair Cook had many memorable battles with India. From his debut hundred in Nagpur in 2006 to his record-breaking performances in the 2012 tour of India, Cook consistently churned out runs.
He was a master of playing spin off the back foot and he wore down Indian bowlers with his patience. His 190 at Eden Gardens was a cornerstone of England’s series win in 2012 — their last in India.
1. Joe Root
2,846 Test runs for England vs India
At the top of the pile sits Joe Root, one of the modern game’s most consistent performers. His record against India is simply staggering. He has scored runs in all conditions – whether it’s the major turners of Chennai or the green seamers at Lord’s.
In the 2021-22 series, Root was in the form of his life, scoring three centuries in four matches. A master against spin and nimble against pace, he remains one of India’s most persistent headaches.
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