When did England last win an ODI series in India?
The recent ODI series between India and England in Cuttack has left the Three Lions fans with another bitter taste in their mouths. India’s convincing win in the third ODI has given them a 2-1 lead in the series, thereby denying England a much-needed victory on Indian soil. This defeat marks England’s seventh consecutive ODI series loss in India, a dismal record that has been a thorn in their side for quite some time.
But have you ever wondered when was the last time England managed to win an ODI series in India? Let’s take a trip down memory lane and find out.
England’s only series win in India came way back in 1984, when they won the three-match series 1-0 under the captaincy of Mike Gatting. This was a historic moment for the English team, as it marked their first-ever ODI series win in India. The series was played in the midst of the Indian summer, with the matches taking place in Bombay, Delhi, and Madras (now Chennai).
The 1984 series was a significant milestone in English cricket, as it marked a turning point in their ODI fortunes in India. Prior to this series, England had struggled to make an impact in Indian conditions, often finding themselves on the receiving end of heavy defeats. However, the 1984 series win brought a newfound confidence to the team, and they went on to become a more competitive force in ODI cricket.
However, this series win was followed by a long period of dominance by India in ODI cricket. England struggled to make an impact in Indian conditions, and their record on the subcontinent continued to be a source of concern for the team. It wasn’t until the early 2000s that they began to make some progress, drawing two consecutive ODI series against India in 1993 and 2002.
Since then, England’s record in ODI series in India has been dismal. They have lost six consecutive series, with their most recent defeat coming in the 2021 series. The team has struggled to cope with the Indian conditions, particularly the spin-friendly tracks that have been a hallmark of Indian cricket.
So, what can England do to change their fortunes in ODI series in India? The answer lies in their ability to adapt to the conditions and play to their strengths. England needs to find a way to neutralize the Indian spin attack, which has been the key to their success in recent years. They also need to find a way to capitalize on the Indian batting weakness, particularly against the short ball.
The recent series has been a wake-up call for the English team, who have been struggling to find their footing in ODI cricket. With the World Cup just around the corner, England needs to regroup and refocus if they want to make a deep run in the tournament. A series win in India would be a huge confidence booster for the team, and would set them up for a strong campaign in the World Cup.
In conclusion, England’s last ODI series win in India came way back in 1984, a historic moment that marked a turning point in their ODI fortunes on the subcontinent. Since then, they have struggled to make an impact in Indian conditions, losing six consecutive series. However, with a bit of hard work and determination, England can change their fortunes and bring home a series win in India.
Source: https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html
