The cricketing rivalry between India and England is one of the most storied in the sport. The two nations have clashed across formats for decades, producing some of the most thrilling encounters witnessed by the game. In 2024, this rivalry continued to enthrall fans, with a series of high-scoring Tests and a nail-biting T20 World Cup encounter. Let’s delve into the scorecards of these matches, analyzing the key moments and individual brilliance that defined them.
Test Series: A Dominant India
The year kicked off with a five-match Test series hosted by India. The opening encounter at Visakhapatnam (February 2nd) set the tone for the series. Batting first, India piled on a mammoth 396 runs, with contributions from all the top order batsmen. England faltered in both innings, succumbing to the brilliance of Jasprit Bumrah, who picked up a six-wicket haul in the first innings. India eventually secured a comfortable victory by 106 runs.
The second Test at Rajkot (February 15th) was another dominant display by India. Ravindra Jadeja’s all-round performance (430 runs and 7 wickets) proved instrumental as India amassed a massive lead of over 700 runs. England showed some fight in the second innings, but were eventually bowled out for 122 runs, handing India a crushing victory by 434 runs.
Moving to Ranchi (February 23rd), the series witnessed a more closely contested affair. England, batting first, posted a respectable 353 runs, with Joe Root scoring a gritty century. India, in reply, were bundled out for 192 runs in the second innings, leaving England with a slender target of 145 runs to win. However, India’s bowlers rose to the occasion, with young spinner Druv Jurel clinching a match-winning five-wicket haul to seal a thrilling victory by 5 wickets.
The fourth Test at Dharamshala (March 7th) showcased another dominant batting performance by India. Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal smashed a double century, propelling India to a mammoth 477 runs. England’s response was underwhelming, as they were dismissed for just 218 and 195 runs, succumbing to the spin wizardry of Kuldeep Yadav, who bagged a well-deserved Player of the Match award. India secured a resounding victory by an innings and 64 runs.
The final Test at Chennai (March 14th) witnessed a slight change in fortunes. England, batting first, defied the trend with a commendable 420 runs, courtesy of a brilliant century by Ollie Pope. In reply, India fought back with a solid batting display, but a mini-collapse left them needing 168 runs for victory on the final day. Despite a valiant effort from the middle order, India fell short by 28 runs, handing England a consolation victory.
T20 World Cup Semi-Final: A High-Voltage Encounter
The stage shifted to the T20 World Cup in June, where India and England clashed again in a high-octane semi-final encounter at the Providence Stadium in Guyana (June 27th). Batting first, India posted a competitive 171 runs on the board, thanks to a crucial knock from Rishabh Pant.
England’s chase started shakily, with Jasprit Bumrah once again proving his worth with a three-wicket haul. However, Dawid Malan and Liam Livingstone steadied the ship with a crucial partnership. Despite their efforts, India’s spinners tightened the noose in the death overs. Axar Patel emerged as the hero, picking up crucial wickets at the end and restricting England to 103 runs, securing a comfortable victory for India by 68 runs.
Conclusion: A Year of Indian Supremacy
2024 belonged to India in the cricketing rivalry against England. Their dominance in the Test series was evident, showcasing a strong batting line-up and a potent bowling attack. The T20 World Cup victory further solidified their position as a force to be reckoned with in the shorter format. While England managed a consolation win in the final Test, the year undoubtedly belonged to India. This rivalry promises to continue captivating fans for years to come, with both teams constantly pushing each other to greater heights.
