India vs England: Virat Kohli & Co up against history at Edgbaston - India’s chances explained in numbers

When it comes to Edgbaston, there are nothing but painful memories for the Indian cricket team as far as Test cricket is concerned. The last time when India played a Test match at this venue was in 2011 and it was an absolute masterclass from Alastair Cook that guided the hosts to victory.

Seven years later, Virat Kohli & Co are back in Birmingham as the top ranked side in the world but the dismal record at the venue looms large ahead of their series opener.

There are not many grounds around the world where the Indian cricket team has never won a game, but Edgbaston is certainly an exception. Out of the six Test matches against England, India have lost five and the only drawn Test took place way back in 1986.

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In 2011, England registered their biggest Test win — in terms of runs — at this venue when they trounced the MS Dhoni-led team by an innings and 242 runs.

Dominant England

However, it is not just India who have struggled to beat the hosts at Edgbaston. In their last 10 outings since 2005, England have won seven matches, lost just once while two matches were drawn.

The list of oppositions who have faced defeat at Edgbaston in the last 12 years include Pakistan, Sri Lanka, West Indies and even tough rivals Australia while South Africa were the only side to beat England when they defeated the hosts by five wickets in 2008.

That remains the only blemish in England’s near perfect record at the venue and that will be a major factor when they face India on Wednesday.

Cook magic

When it comes to individual performances, there is no one with a better record at Edgbaston than the England veteran Alastair Cook.

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The former skipper is the all-time leading run-getter at the venue with 856 runs from 9 matches and his top-score in Tests (294) also came against India at this venue in 2011.

Cook has played brilliantly against any opposition at this venue except for Australia and that is clear from the fact that he has big scores against all the other teams. The two fifties came against Pakistan and South Africa while he slammed an impressive 243 to guide his team to victory over West Indies in 2012.

First Published: Jul 31, 2018 11:24 IST