Top 5 England batsmen with the most runs against India in Tests

INTRIGUING. MOUTH-WATERING. HIGHLY ANTICIPATED. These are some of the words that would be used when an Indian fan is asked to describe the upcoming Test series between India and England. The two sides will clash in a pulsating four-match rubber that will kick off on 5th February 2021 on Indian soil.

And, both sides are entering the series on the back of resounding success. While England gave a mauling to Sri Lanka, defeating them 2-0 on Sri Lankan soil, India too, defeated Australia 2-1 in Australia and retained the Border- Gavaskar trophy. For India, regular skipper Virat Kohli will return back to the playing arena after missing out on the last three Tests against the kangaroos for personal reasons.

Over the years, several England batting behemoths have piled on the runs against India in Test cricket. On that note, let us take a look at the top 5 England batsmen with the most runs against India in Tests.

5. David Gower

David Gower was one of the most respected willow wielders in his playing days. The left-handed batting legend featured in 117 Test matches for England in a career that spanned well over a decade and scored 8231 runs at an average of 44.25. He is the fifth-highest run-scorer for England in the whites.

And, Gower had a very good record against India in Tests. He played 37 innings against the Indian side and scored 1391 runs at an average of 44.87. Gower scored 2 hundreds and 6 fifties in Tests played against India.

The 200* that the left-hander scored against India in the year 1979 at Birmingham will go down as one of the best innings from his willow. Coming in with the scorecard reading 235/3, Gower piled on the misery on the Indian bowlers, scoring a brisk 200 off just 279 balls. His innings was composed of 24 glorious hits to the fence. Gower retired from Test cricket in the year 1992.

4. Joe Root

Occupying the fourth place is current England skipper and modern-day batting maestro Joe Root. And, there is every chance that by the end of the upcoming four-match Test series against India, Root might overtake two other batsmen who are currently ahead of him and occupy second place.

One look at Root’s record in Tests against India gives us an indication that he loves to feast on the Indian bowling attack. Root has played 28 innings against India thus far and has plundered 1421 runs at an excellent average of 56.84. The right-hander has also scored 4 centuries and 9 half-centuries against the Virat Kohli-led side.

Root is coming into the series on the back of an outstanding performance against Sri Lanka. In the two Tests that he played against Sri Lanka, Root amassed 426 runs, at an average in excess of 100 (106.50) to win the Man of the Series award. England’s fortunes will largely depend on how Root fares with the willow in the upcoming series.

3. Kevin Pietersen

Anybody who has seen Kevin Pietersen wield the willow will vouch for the fact that he was one of the most talented and flamboyant batsmen of his generation. Pietersen featured in 104 Tests for England and scored 8181 runs at an average of 47.28.

Against the Indian side, Pietersen’s numbers are just incredible. The right-hander played 28 innings against India and scored 1581 runs at an outstanding average of 58.55. England’s sixth highest run-scorer also scored 6 hundreds and 6 fifties against India in Tests.

Among the various masterpieces that Pietersen carved out with the willow, his 202* against India at the iconic Lords Cricket Ground in the year 2011 will be etched in the memories of fans for posterity. He lorded over the Indian bowlers, scoring 21 fours and a six, to help his side to thrash India by 196 runs. The right-hander played his last Test for England in the year 2014 against Australia at Sydney.

2. Graham Gooch

The second spot in the list is occupied by Graham Gooch. The right-handed batting legend is the second-highest run-scorer for England in Tests and has plundered a colossal 8900 runs in 118 Test matches. Gooch also scored 20 hundreds and 46 fifties in the white flannels.

Gooch has an excellent record against India in Test cricket. The batting gladiator scored 1725 runs against the Indian side and scored his runs at an average of 55.64 in the longest format of the game. He also scored 5 hundreds and 8 fifties against India in Tests.

Gooch played his final Test for his country in the year 1995 against Australia in Sydney. Needless to say, he will go down as one of the greatest batsmen ever, for England in Tests.

1. Sir Alastair Cook

He is the only England batsman to have scored over 10000 runs in Test cricket. He is the only England batsman to have scored over 30 centuries in Tests. In a career that spanned a little more than a decade, Sir Alastair Cook achieved heights that no England batsman before or after him has achieved.

The left-hander played 161 Test matches for his country and scored a gargantuan 12472 runs at an average of 45.35. Alastair Cook also scored 33 hundreds and 57 fifties in his Test career. He also accumulated impressive numbers against the Indian side. The left-hander played 54 innings against India in Test cricket and scored 2431 runs, with the help of 7 centuries and 9 half-centuries at an average of 47.66.

Cook played his final Test for his country in the year 2018 against India, and he made it a memorable affair. The left-hander scored a scintillating 147 in his final innings in Test cricket to allow his side to beat India by 118 runs.

Note: All the stats have been taken from Cricinfo, Cricbuzz and Howstat cricket and have been updated as on 30th January 2021