1 Shubman Gill’s Twin Tons at Edgbaston: A Historic Masterclass

When cricket historians look back at the 2025 India-England Test series, Shubman Gill’s batting brilliance at Edgbaston will dominate the conversation. The Indian skipper delivered not one, but two marathon innings — 269 in the first and 161 in the second — totaling a staggering 430 runs in a single match. This feat placed him second only to Graham Gooch’s record of 456 runs in a Test, achieved against India in 1990. Gill also became just the second player in Test history to score 150+ in both innings of the same match, a distinction he now shares with Australian great Allan Border.

What made these knocks even more compelling was their timing. Coming off a drawn first Test at Headingley, the second match was pivotal. Gill walked out with the series tied and hs own leadership under scrutiny. His double act quelled doubts and catapulted India into a position of absolute control. From textbook cover drives to commanding pulls, Gill’s batting was a blend of elegance and grit. The English bowling attack, spearheaded by Shoaib Bashir and Josh Tongue, was rendered ineffective by Gill’s precision.

The innings were not only technically sound but emotionally charged, signaling a captain truly coming of age. It was also poetic: the same ground where many Indian batting legends struggled, now bore witness to Gill’s reign. In a cricketing temple as historic as Edgbaston, the 25-year-old carved his name in stone.

Rishabh Pant plays a shot on day two of the fourth test cricket match between India and England, at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground, in Manchester

2 India’s First-Ever Test Victory at Edgbaston: Breaking the 58-Year Curse

For decades, Edgbaston remained India’s haunted house in England. Since their first Test there in 1967, the team had never emerged victorious at this ground. That changed dramatically in July 2025, as India crushed England by a massive 336-run margin. It wasn’t just a win — it was a demolition, and it rewrote history in emphatic fashion.

What made this moment so powerful wasn’t just the win, but the dominance India showcased. With Gill’s double centuries laying the foundation, the bowlers stepped up to hammer the nails into the English coffin. Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep led the pace attack, utilising swing and seam under overcast skies to full effect. England’s famed batting lineup — rooted in the experience of Joe Root and the flair of Harry Brook — crumbled under relentless pressure.

Symbolically, the victory at Edgbaston marked a turning point for Indian cricket in overseas conditions. The ground had been synonymous with heartbreak, close calls, and missed opportunities. This time, it became the stage for assertion, dominance, and redemption. The scenes post-victory told their own story — players embracing, flags waving, and fans in Birmingham singing songs of long-overdue triumph.

This victory also had strategic ramifications. It levelled the five-match series at 1-1, swung momentum back in India’s favour, and reaffirmed their credentials as one of the most formidable Test sides away from home. It wasn’t just about breaking the jinx; it was about rewriting the narrative. And they did it with style.

3 Rishabh Pant’s Grit at Old Trafford: A Modern-Day Epic

One of the most unforgettable moments of the India vs England 2025 Test series came during the 4th Test at Old Trafford, when Rishabh Pant batted through a fractured toe to score a defiant 54. Having retired hurt the previous day, few expected him to return — let alone fight through visible pain and limited mobility. But Pant, true to his spirit, hobbled down the steps, took guard, and battled on.

His half-century wasn’t just about runs; it was about raw courage, mental strength, and unmatched resilience. Every single was agony, every defensive stroke a triumph of will. He even responded to Ben Stokes’s mind games with a six and a stylish four, proving he was still the same fearless Pant.

The standing ovation from Old Trafford, respectful applause from Joe Root, and admiration from fans across the world marked this innings as more than sport — it was a story of redemption, bravery, and undying passion for the game. In cricketing folklore, Pant’s Manchester knock now sits proudly alongside the likes of Kumble’s Antigua heroics and Malcolm Marshall’s Headingley grit.

Coming off a traumatic injury just two years prior, this wasn’t just a cricketer reclaiming form — it was a young man reclaiming purpose. His innings inspired not only Indian fans but anyone who’s faced adversity and fought back. It was a reminder that in Test cricket, the scoreboard rarely tells the full story — the heart behind it does.

England's Joe Root celebrates his century on day three of the fourth test cricket match between India and England, at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground, in Manchester

4 Joe Root’s Masterclass: A Landmark Knock at Old Trafford

One of the standout performances of the India vs England 2025 Test series came from Joe Root, who delivered a masterclass at Old Trafford with a sublime 150-run knock that not only steadied England’s innings but also carved his name deeper into cricketing history. Starting the day at 11*, Root batted with trademark elegance and unwavering concentration, frustrating the Indian bowling attack as he anchored crucial partnerships with Ollie Pope (71) and Ben Stokes (77*). His innings was a display of patience, footwork, and timing, navigating tough phases of pace and spin with remarkable ease.

In the process, Root surpassed the legendary trio of Rahul Dravid, Jacques Kallis, and Ricky Ponting to become the second-highest run-scorer in Test cricket history with 13,378 runs, now trailing only the great Sachin Tendulkar. He also equaled Kumar Sangakkara’s tally of 38 Test centuries, placing him fourth on the all-time list.

What made this innings even more iconic was Root breaking Sir Don Bradman’s long-standing record by scoring his ninth Test century at home against India — the most by any batter in history against a single opposition in home conditions. The Old Trafford crowd erupted in celebration with each milestone, applauding a legend whose hunger for runs and greatness remains undiminished.

Though his innings ended with a sharp stumping by Ravindra Jadeja, Root’s 150 had already shifted the momentum decisively in England’s favour. His knock powered the hosts to a commanding 544/7 and a 186-run lead. More than just numbers, it was a statement of resilience, legacy, and brilliance — a timely reminder of Root’s class and enduring relevance in the modern era. This innings will forever be etched among the finest ever played in an England-India Test series.

5 England’s Gritty Lord’s Triumph: A Classic Test Finish

One of the most dramatic and emotionally charged moments of the 2025 India vs England Test series came in the third Test at Lord’s, where England edged past India by 22 runs in a heart-stopping finish that revived memories of the venue’s most iconic clashes. On a tense final day, with India chasing 193 for victory, the match ebbed and flowed until the very last session. England had reduced India to 112-8 before lunch, seemingly on the verge of a comfortable win. But Ravindra Jadeja, with a valiant unbeaten 61, and Jasprit Bumrah, with defiant resistance, forged an improbable partnership that dragged India agonisingly close. The crowd was gripped as Jadeja farmed the strike expertly, even launching Chris Woakes for six and flicking Ben Stokes for boundaries under immense pressure. Bumrah’s eventual dismissal — caught off a mistimed pull — was met with deafening relief across Lord’s, but the game still had more drama to offer.

As Mohammed Siraj bravely blocked 30 deliveries, Jadeja inched India closer to history, managing the strike with surgical precision. However, in a cruel twist of fate, Shoaib Bashir bowled Siraj with a delivery that dribbled off the bat onto the stumps, sealing the victory and sending England into wild celebrations. The moment Bashir raised his arms and the crowd erupted in a mixture of joy and disbelief marked a defining high of the series — not just for its cricketing quality, but for the sheer theatre of it all. This wasn’t just a match; it was a spectacle of endurance, tactics, and mental strength. England’s ability to hold their nerve under relentless pressure at the Home of Cricket will be remembered as one of the best moments of the 2025 series — a reminder that in Test cricket, survival often takes as much courage as dominance.