In the past 40 years, India haven't always enjoyed success but in home tours against India they hold an 11-8 advantage. Even back in 1972-3 they came out ahead in a five-match rubber in the days when England toured under the MCC banner. Then, as now, spin was king. India could call upon the famed foursome of Bedi, Chandrasekhar, Prasanna and Venkataraghavan while England's top spinner Derek Underwood was supported only by the not-so-scary Pat Pocock, Nick Gifford and Tony Greig.
Nevertheless, England won in Delhi and seamer Geoff Arnold was the most successful bowler in Toby Lewis' side. Eden Gardens was a tense low-scoring affair, won by India thanks to the persistence of Bedi and Chandra who took 9-105 in 65 overs between them. Spin bowlers were again dominant at Madras (as was) and the home team triumphed by four wickets. The last two games were drawn as batsmen moved into the ascendancy. Tony Lewis struck the first hundred of the tour at Kanpur, then Bombay saw no fewer than four centurions, led by Faroukh Engineer.
In 1976-77, England turned the tables by thumping India by 3-1. Dennis Amiss got things under way with 179 at Delhi, while John Lever swung his way to ten wickets on his debut. Tony Greig's team then kicked off 1977 in fine style. He led from the front with an incredibly patient century, while Bob Willis took 5-27 in the first innings on the way to a ten-wicket victory. It became three in a row two weeks later, as Willis, Lever and Underwood bowled India out for just 83 to win by 200 runs. There was a consolation victory at Bangalore and England ducked out of a run chase to produce a draw at Bombay.
In 1980, England easily outgunned India in a one-off Test, in which Ian Botham struck a century and captured 13 wickets, while 'keeper Bob Taylor claimed 10 victims behind the stumps. On to 1981-2 and six Tests were scheduled. Indeed, it was almost none played because of the rebel tour to South Africa. Kapil Dev and Madan Lal bowled India to victory in the First Test but the rest were mostly dull draws on lifeless pitches. Top batting honours went to Gundappa Viswanath's double-century (rare in India!) and Kapil Dev's blistering hundred in the weather-ruined finale, although Geoff Boycott broke Gary Sobers' longstanding Test run record.
The 1984-85 Test series almost never happened either, because of the political fallout from Indira Gandhi's assassination. However, the five matches did proceed, and England came from behind to triumph 2-1. David Gower needed that result following England's 5-0 'blackwash' at the hands of the Windies the previous summer. Neither side boasted a great bowling attack but there were runs galore. England won at Madras by nine wickets following two English double-centuries in the same innings, both Test career bests from Graeme Fowler and Mike Gatting. It was a great disappointment for India, and off-form skipper Gavaskar in particular.
Four years later, after so many near-misses, a tour was actually cancelled. This time it was principally because touring captain Graham Gooch refused to apologise for his role in the rebel SA tour several years earlier. Neither he nor fellow rebel Rob Bailey were granted entry visas, England refused to alter their selection so the impasse wiped out the whole shebang.
Since then, India have taken the initiative. The era of Tendulkar, Stewart, Kumble, Ganguly, Flintoff et al produced success for England at home but in India it was a different matter, as a future blog will explore....
