In Test cricket, top-order heroes often steal the show, but it’s the lower-order partnerships that truly showcase grit and resilience. In the India vs England rivalry, several game-changing stands from No. 7 or lower have turned matches on their head—rescuing innings, chasing tough targets, or grinding out draws.
Here’s a look at the Top 5 Impactful Partnerships Below No-7 in India vs England Tests—where defiance, courage, and timing redefined the contest.
Let`s take look at the Top 5 Impactful Partnerships Below No-7 in India vs England Tests:
5. Ian Botham & Bob Willis – 1981, Mumbai (England) – 70 Runs for 8th Wicket
At the Wankhede Stadium, with England tottering at 166/7, Ian Botham walked in and changed the tone. In trademark aggressive fashion, he combined with Bob Willis for a crucial 70-run stand, lifting England to 296. Botham’s counterattack and Willis’s grit turned a collapse into a fightback.
Though England eventually lost, this defiant lower-order stand kept India on edge and deserves its place in the Top 5 Impactful Partnerships Below No-7 in India vs England Tests.
Statistics Table:
| Player | Position | Runs Scored | Balls Faced | Fours | Sixes | Partnership Runs | Match Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ian Botham | No. 7 | 80 | 122 | 10 | 1 | 70 (with Willis) | India won by 138 runs |
| Bob Willis | No. 9 | 24 | 58 | 2 | 0 | 70 (with Botham) |
4. Jasprit Bumrah & Mohammed Shami – 2021, Lord’s (India) – 89 Runs for 9th Wicket
In a stunning turnaround during a recent India vs England Test, India was struggling at 209/8 in the second innings. A draw—or even a loss—seemed likely. But Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami had other plans. Their unbeaten 89-run stand turned the tide, with Shami smashing a brilliant 56* and Bumrah providing crucial support.
This lower-order blitz deflated England, shifted the momentum, and set up a dramatic Indian victory—earning its place among the Top 5 Impactful Partnerships Below No-7 in India vs England Tests.
Statistics Table:
| Player | Position | Runs Scored | Balls Faced | Fours | Sixes | Partnership Runs | Match Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammed Shami | No. 10 | 56* | 70 | 6 | 1 | 89* (with Bumrah) | India won by 151 runs |
| Jasprit Bumrah | No. 7 | 33* | 70 | 3 | 0 | 89* (with Shami) |
3. Sam Curran & Adil Rashid – 2018, Southampton (England) – 55 Runs for 9th Wicket
With England reeling at 86/6 in the second innings, Sam Curran stepped up with fearless intent. His 55-run partnership with Adil Rashid proved vital, lifting England to 271 and setting India a challenging target of 245 on a wearing pitch. Curran’s bold strokeplay and Rashid’s calm support sparked a lower-order revival.
This crucial stand laid the foundation for a 60-run win and a series-clinching moment—earning its spot in the Top 5 Impactful Partnerships Below No-7 in India vs England Tests.
Statistics Table:
| Player | Position | Runs Scored | Balls Faced | Fours | Sixes | Partnership Runs | Match Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Curran | No. 8 | 46 | 67 | 6 | 1 | 55 (with Rashid) | England won by 60 runs |
| Adil Rashid | No. 10 | 20 | 57 | 2 | 0 | 55 (with Curran) |
2. R Ashwin & Virat Kohli – 2016, Visakhapatnam (India) – 64 Runs for 7th Wicket
While Virat Kohli was crafting a masterclass 167, India was 361/6 and in need of support. Enter R. Ashwin, whose composed knock and smart strike rotation led to a vital 64-run partnership. Their stand pushed India to 455, piling scoreboard pressure on England on a spinning pitch.
This lower-order boost helped India take a lead of over 200 and set up a dominant 246-run win—rightfully earning its place in the Top 5 Impactful Partnerships Below No-7 in India vs England Tests.
Statistics Table:
| Player | Position | Runs Scored | Balls Faced | Fours | Partnership Runs | Match Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | No. 4 | 167 | 267 | 18 | 64 (with Ashwin) | India won by 246 runs |
| R Ashwin | No. 7 | 58 | 95 | 7 | 64 (with Kohli) |
1. MS Dhoni & Bhuvneshwar Kumar – 2014, Lord’s (India) – 90 Runs for 8th Wicket
On a seaming Lord’s track, India was struggling at 145/7 in the first innings, facing yet another collapse. But Bhuvneshwar Kumar joined MS Dhoni, and together they stitched a crucial 90-run stand. Dhoni guided the innings with calm authority while Bhuvneshwar played with control and class.
Their partnership lifted India to 295 and laid the foundation for a memorable 95-run win—earning a well-deserved spot in the Top 5 Impactful Partnerships Below No-7 in India vs England Tests.
Statistics Table:
| Player | Position | Runs Scored | Balls Faced | Fours | Partnership Runs | Match Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS Dhoni | No. 6 | 82 | 140 | 9 | 90 (with Kumar) | India won by 95 runs |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | No. 9 | 36 | 71 | 3 | 90 (with Dhoni) |
Conclusion
In the fierce India vs England Test rivalry, it’s often the lower-order partnerships that redefine the script. These gritty stands—built on courage, composure, and unexpected resistance—have turned collapses into comebacks and pressure into triumph. The Top 5 Impactful Partnerships Below No-7 in India vs England Tests remind us that match-winning moments don’t always come from the top order; sometimes, it’s the unsung heroes down the line who truly shift the momentum and etch their names into cricketing folklore.
Read More: Top 10 Close Finishes in India vs England Test History
FAQ`s
Q1: What qualifies as a “partnership below No. 7” in Test cricket?
A: It refers to batting partnerships where at least one batsman is batting at position No. 7 or lower in the batting order—typically all-rounders, bowlers, or wicketkeepers.
Q2: Why are lower-order partnerships considered impactful in Tests?
A: Because they often occur during a crisis or collapse. These partnerships can rescue innings, frustrate opponents, and dramatically shift momentum in a match.
Q3: Do such partnerships often lead to wins?
A: Yes, several have been turning points in key victories, including India’s 2021 Lord’s win and England’s 2018 series-clinching performance led by Sam Curran.