ANDERSON-TENDULKAR TROPHY, 2025
India dropped 23 catches during the series, while England dropped 17.
In the recent Test series, which ended in a tense 2-2 draw between India and England, the statistics painted a narrative of Indian dominance that didn’t fully manifest on the scoreboard. This echoed Virat Kohli’s sentiments from 2018, suggesting India’s performance exceeded the 4-1 outcome. The latest series displayed a competitive edge, with India showcasing strong statistics, but England thrived in critical moments, often capitalizing on luck and India’s unforced errors.
The evenly matched 2-2 scoreline indicates that England has not secured a series win against India or Australia since 2019. Notably, all four drawn series during this period were against these two teams at home. While India statistically outperformed England, the home side triumphed in key moments when outcomes teetered on balance.
Statistically, India’s batters averaged 39.77 with 12 centuries, while England averaged 37.57 with nine centuries. On the bowling front, Indian seamers had a sharper average of 34.95 compared to England’s 36.53, despite conceding runs at a higher rate due to England’s aggressive “Bazball” style. India’s spin department also had the upper hand, securing 14 wickets at an average of 55.50, compared to England’s 13 at 72.46.
In three out of five matches, the teams were separated by less than 25 runs at the end of their first innings, showcasing the competitiveness of the series. Additionally, two matches were decided by fewer than 25 runs, marking a significant first. However, despite the dominance reflected in many parameters, India struggled with unforced errors, losing 22 wickets on balls they should have controlled versus England’s nine.
Fielding lapses also played a critical role in shaping the series outcome. India dropped 23 catches, granting England an extra 718 runs, while England’s dropped catches allowed 587 extra runs for India. The unfortunate timing of these errors significantly tilted the results, especially in tightly contested matches.
