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Smallest Margin Of Victories By Runs In England Vs India Tests Ft. Lord's 2025

Arnav Chopra

ENG vs IND (Source: @SurrbhiM/X.com)ENG vs IND (Source: @SurrbhiM/X.com)

It's common to have thrillers in T20I or ODI cricket, however, it's incredibly rare to have nail-biting games in Test matches. Nonetheless, in the last few years, with an aggressive style of cricket, we are seeing more and more close matches, especially in the red-ball format.

Therefore, with the focus on run rate, especially in Test cricket, teams are playing for the win rather than the draw, and as a result, more games are coming to a conclusion, while many of them are now ending in a close result. Therefore, in this article, we will have a look at matches between England and India in history with the lowest margin of victory.

5. England Beat India By 60 Runs, Southampton, 2018

At number five on this list is England's victory over India back in 2018 at Southampton. Batting first, England posted 246 on the board, and in reply, India scored 273. In the second innings, England fought back hard and put up 271. 

In reply, India, chasing 245 for victory, were cleaned up for 184, with Moeen Ali picking a four-wicket haul as England claimed a solid victory by 60 runs in this nerve-racking thriller. Despite their best efforts, India could not save the day, as they lost the series 4-1.

4. England Beat India By 31 Runs, Birmingham, 2018

At number four on this list is another victory by England on the same 2018 series against India, but this time at Birmingham. England again batted first in this game and put up 287, while India, in reply, scored 274. In the second innings, England were cleaned up for 180, as India required just 194 for victory.

However, in reply, India failed to chase down the target as they were rolled over for 162, with Ben Stokes this time claiming a four-wicket haul. This was the first Test of the series, which England claimed by 31 runs. Sam Curran emerged as the player of the match, with five wickets in the game and a 63* in the second innings.

2. England Beat India By 28 Runs, Hyderabad, 2024

At joint number two spot on this list is another win by England against India, but this time in Hyderabad back in 2024, where England batted first and put up 246, while India, in reply, batted brilliantly to score 436 runs on the board. The Three Lions, in the second innings, fought back hard on the back of Ollie Pope, who scored 196, pulling England to 420.

Chasing 231 for victory, India faltered after reaching closer to the target, as they were knocked over for 202, where Tom Hartley picked a seven-wicket haul. England claimed this first Test of India's tour by 28 runs, as Pope was declared the player of the match in the very first game.

2. India Beat England By 28 Runs, Kolkata, 1972

At number two is the solitary win by India on this list, as they defeated England back in 1972 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. India batted first and put up 210 runs on the board, and in reply, England could only manage 174. India fought back hard to put up 255, and England, needing 192 for victory, could only get as far as 163.

Tony Greig scored 67, while Bishan Bedi picked a five-wicket haul, alongside Bhagwat Chandrashekhar, who claimed four wickets, as India won by a close margin of 28 runs in the second Test of the series. The hosts won the series 2-1, as two other matches ended in a draw.

1. England Beat India By 22 Runs, Lord's, 2025

Finally moving to the top spot, this is claimed by England, as they just recently rolled over India at the heartbreaking Lord's Test in 2025. England, in this Test, batted first and scored 387, with Joe Root smashing 104. In reply, India were as good as them, scoring exactly the same score of 387 in the first innings, with KL Rahul putting up a fight with a 100.

In return, England were cleaned up for just 192, with Washington Sundar claiming a four-wicket haul. Requiring 193 for a victory, India failed to chase the target down despite some brilliant resistance from Ravindra Jadeja, who scored 61* but couldn't help India over the line. In the nervous moments, India lost the game by just 22 runs after getting bowled out for 170, with Jofra Archer and skipper Ben Stokes claiming three wickets apiece.

Stokes was awarded player of the match for his vital contribution of 44 runs in the first and 33 runs in the second innings, respectively while claiming five wickets in this game. England, after this victory earned 2-1 lead in the series after third Test. This turned out to be the closest margin of victory so far in the history of England and India Test matches, as there are two more Tests to come in the series.