Under Shubman Gill's captaincy, Team India will take on England from June 20 in a five-match test series. The India Tour of England is always special due to its fast bowling and friendly conditions, but on this tour, many veteran batsmen have shown exceptional excellence in their innings for both teams. Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, Rahul Dravid, and Virat Kohli are the Indian players who scored a lot of runs in English conditions. Still, English Batsmen have also given trouble to the Indian Bowlers in the recent tours. In this Article, we are going to learn about the top 3 England batsmen who scored the most runs against India in Tests.
1. Joe Root
Leading the pack by a significant margin is the modern-day maestro, Joe Root. With an impressive tally of over 2,800 runs against India in Test matches, Root has established himself as India's chief tormentor from the English side. His prolific scoring rate and remarkable consistency have made him a linchpin of the English batting lineup for over a decade. His success against India can be attributed to his impeccable technique, his ability to adapt to varying conditions, and his unwavering mental fortitude. Whether facing spin on turning Indian tracks or battling pace and swing in England, Root has found ways to accumulate runs. His 2021 tour of India was a particular highlight, where he scored a magnificent double century in Chennai, showcasing his mastery against quality spin bowling. He continued his rich vein of form against India in subsequent series, consistently piling on runs and demonstrating his class. Root's ability to convert starts into big scores, coupled with his excellent stroke play, has made him a formidable opponent for the Indian bowlers, often anchoring England's innings and dictating terms. Once again, he can hurt the Indian Bowling line-up in the upcoming cricket series. And absolutely, He will be the main wicket for the Indian Bowlers in every innings.
2. Alastair Cook
A giant of English cricket and one of the most prolific opening batsmen of all time, Alastair Cook holds the second spot on this distinguished list. Amassing over 2,400 runs against India, Cook's dogged determination, immense concentration, and remarkable powers of endurance made him a constant thorn in India's side.
Cook's batting was characterised by his stoic defence and his ability to wear down opposition bowlers. His all-time best test cricket score of 294 runs also came against the Indian Team at Edgbaston in 2011, and his heroic series in India in 2012. In 2012, as captain, he led England to a famous series victory in India, himself leading from the front with three centuries, showcasing his ability to thrive in challenging subcontinental conditions. Cook's relentless accumulation of runs, often nullifying India's primary wicket-taking threats, was a hallmark of his career against them.
3. Graham Gooch
The formidable Graham Gooch rounds out the top three, having scored over 1,700 runs in Tests against India. A powerful and uncompromising opening batsman, Gooch was known for his immense appetite for runs and his ability to dominate attacks. His clashes with Indian bowlers were often engrossing contests, where his aggressive yet solid style of play shone through.
Gooch's most iconic performance against India came in 1990 at Lord's, where he scored a monumental 333 in the first innings and followed it up with 123 in the second, setting a record for the most runs in a single Test match. This extraordinary display of batting prowess against an Indian attack featuring the likes of Kapil Dev and Anil Kumble (who debuted in the series) highlighted his exceptional skill and endurance. Gooch consistently proved to be a handful for India, demonstrating his ability to score big and influence the outcome of matches with his sheer weight of runs.
