Over the last ten years, the India vs England rivalry has delivered some of the most gripping cricket across formats. Whether it’s the swinging dukes ball in England or the turning tracks in India, this battle has tested even the best. Among all the intense contests, a few special centuries have stood out — not just for the numbers, but for their impact, timing, and the sheer skill involved. These are innings that swung matches, silenced critics, or simply left fans awestruck.

Let’s look at some of the best IND vs ENG centuries from the past decade.

1. Virat Kohli – 149 at Edgbaston, 2018

Few innings have carried as much emotional and technical weight as Virat Kohli’s 149 in the first Test of the 2018 tour. After a miserable 2014 series where he failed to get going, Kohli returned with a point to prove. In testing conditions, against the moving ball and a world-class pace attack, Kohli delivered a masterclass. He fought virtually alone as the rest of the Indian lineup faltered. His 149 was full of grit, well-judged leaves, crisp drives, and sheer mental strength. It may not have led to a win, but it set the tone for a remarkable personal series and banished the ghosts of 2014.

2. Joe Root – 180 at Lord’s, 2021*

When England faced India at Lord’s in 2021, they were under pressure. India had bowled them out cheaply in the first innings, and the match looked to be slipping away. Joe Root, England’s captain and batting mainstay, played one of the best innings of his career under the weight of expectation. His unbeaten 180 wasn’t just about scoring runs — it was about survival, leadership, and class. Root tackled India’s potent pace attack with authority, mixing elegance with resilience. The innings helped England level the series and reminded everyone why Root was one of the finest Test batsmen in the world.

3. Rishabh Pant – 101 at Ahmedabad, 2021

On a rank turner in Ahmedabad, where batting was a nightmare, Rishabh Pant played one of the most audacious and match-defining knocks in recent India-England Tests. Coming in when India was in trouble, Pant counter-attacked with fearless flair. From reverse-sweeps to cheeky ramps, he turned the momentum with a blistering 101 that changed the course of the match and series. What made it special was not just the runs but the way he took on the situation with his own brand of cricket — unorthodox, brave, and match-winning.

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4. KL Rahul – 129 at Lord’s, 2021

Lord’s, the home of cricket, holds a special place in every cricketer’s heart. KL Rahul’s 129 in the second Test of the 2021 series was not only technically sound but also tactically brilliant. Opening the innings against the swinging ball, Rahul showed patience, discipline, and composure. He built his innings slowly, respected the conditions, and pounced on loose deliveries. His ton set the foundation for one of India’s most famous Test wins at Lord’s, and it cemented his spot as a dependable overseas opener.

5. Jonny Bairstow – 106 at Edgbaston, 2022

In the rescheduled fifth Test of the 2021–22 series, Jonny Bairstow produced a counter-punching century that left Indian bowlers searching for answers. After early trouble, Bairstow launched a stunning attack on India’s pace battery, combining brute force with confident stroke play. His century helped England chase down a mammoth total in the fourth innings and sealed a historic win. The knock embodied England’s aggressive new approach under the ‘Bazball’ philosophy and showed how quickly a match can shift gears in modern Test cricket.

Final Thoughts

Great centuries in India vs England matches aren’t just about milestones; they’re about context. The innings listed above weren’t played on flat tracks or in meaningless moments — they came when the stakes were high and conditions were tough. These knocks weren’t just about personal glory, but about dragging their teams forward, shifting momentum, and defining the narrative of a hard-fought series. They stand as powerful reminders of why this rivalry continues to thrill fans around the world.

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