Former England skipper Michael Vaughan has stirred up some pre-series drama ahead of the much-anticipated five-match Test series between India and England, starting June 20. In a cheeky promotional advertisement, Vaughan took a dig at India’s historical struggles in English conditions, saying, “In the last 100 years, India have lost 14 Test series here in England. This 20th of June, they arrive again to lose.”
The comment has set the stage for a fiery contest, especially as India aim to end an 18-year wait for a Test series win on English soil. India’s recent red-ball record in England has been far from ideal.
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They were blanked 0-4 in 2011, fell short 1-3 in 2014, and lost 1-4 in 2018 despite high expectations under Virat Kohli. However, the 2021-22 series ended 2-2, hinting at a shift in momentum. Now, under Shubman Gill’s leadership, a rejuvenated Indian side will look to rewrite history.
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England, on the other hand, have shown consistency in the longest format. In December 2024, they secured their first Test series win in New Zealand in 16 years, clinching it 2-1. They followed it up with a dominant innings victory over Zimbabwe. With Ben Stokes leading a well-rounded side, the hosts will be confident of continuing their home dominance.
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India’s recent Test form has raised concerns. They suffered a shocking 0-3 whitewash at home to New Zealand in October 2024 and went on to lose 1-3 to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. These setbacks triggered a significant transition, with veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli bidding farewell to Test cricket. Now, Gill faces the monumental task of leading a youthful Indian side into one of the toughest Test assignments in world cricket.
