England’s 1984-85 tour of India was always going to be a tough challenge.

After being crushed 5-0 by the West Indies at home and failing to defeat Sri Lanka in a one-off Test at Lord’s that summer, England’s morale was at an all-time low as they set off for Asia.

The squad, missing key players like Ian Botham (who opted out), Graham Gooch, and John Emburey (who was banned for the South African rebel tour), faced an uphill battle.

The bowling attack didn’t offer much reassurance either. England relied heavily on veteran spinners Pat Pocock and Phil Edmonds, while the pace department looked inexperienced, with Norman Cowans, Richard Ellison, and Neil Foster all yet to prove themselves on the Test stage.

India, too, were not in their prime. They were on a 31-match winless streak, having last tasted victory in November 1981 against England in Mumbai. Still, they had star power. Captain Sunil Gavaskar, the leading run-scorer in Test cricket at the time, boasted a healthy average of 52.23.

Kapil Dev, with both bat and ball, remained a key figure, and experienced hands like Mohinder Amarnath and Dilip Vengsarkar provided vital runs and stability in the middle order. It was a tour marked by low expectations on both sides, but one that would set the stage for a memorable series.

1st Test: India Win by 8 Wickets in Mumbai

When the action finally began in Mumbai, England won the toss but failed to capitalize on their advantage. The key to India’s dominance was 19-year-old leg-spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan, who had already impressed with a 4/27 performance for India’s under-25 team earlier in the tour. Sivaramakrishnan made an immediate impact, taking 6/64 to help bowl England out for just 195.

India’s response was overwhelming as they declared at 465/8, building a lead of 270 runs. Despite Sivaramakrishnan’s second-innings figures of 6/117, India’s grip on the game was never in doubt. With match figures of 12/181, Sivaramakrishnan announced himself as one of the stars of the series. However, his form would dip dramatically in subsequent Tests, as he went on to take only four more wickets at a shocking average of 100.50.

2nd Test: England Win by 8 Wickets in Delhi

The second Test in Delhi saw England capitalize on an unexpected opportunity. After India recovered from 140/6 to post 307 all out, England was in a precarious position at 181/4 in their first innings. It was at this moment that opener Tim Robinson played a magnificent innings, scoring 160 runs in just his second Test match, guiding England to a 111-run first-innings lead.

3rd Test: Draw in Kolkata – Azharuddin Shines

The third Test in Kolkata turned out to be a frustrating draw for both teams. India, missing Kapil Dev, put up a lackluster performance, with rain and bad light further disrupting the game. India’s batters were slow, and despite some valuable contributions, especially from debutant Mohammad Azharuddin, the match failed to reach a conclusion.

4th Test: England Win by 9 Wickets in Madras – Foster’s Dream Performance

England made a decisive change for the fourth Test in Madras, bringing in Neil Foster for Richard Ellison, and it proved to be a masterstroke. Despite losing the toss once again, England dominated the match, with Foster producing a career-defining performance. India, batting first, were dismissed for 272, thanks to a brilliant spell from Foster, who took 6/104.

On a pitch that offered pace and bounce, Foster led England’s charge, taking another 3 wickets in India’s second innings to finish with match figures of 11/163, only the third English pacer to take 10 wickets in a Test in India. With a commanding first-innings lead of 380, England quickly seized control. Foster’s devastating spell reduced India to 22/3, and though Mohinder Amarnath and Azharuddin fought back with a 190-run partnership, England’s dominance was never in doubt.

5th Test: Draw in Kanpur – England Win the Series 2-1

India’s hopes of leveling the series in Kanpur were dashed by a pitch that did not play to their advantage. Despite winning the toss and posting a solid 553/8, India’s chances were undermined by groundsman Anand Shukla, who refused to doctor the pitch to suit the home side.

England, needing a solid response, faced a few challenges but managed to reach 417 in reply. At one point, they found themselves in a precarious position at 286/6, still 68 runs shy of avoiding the follow-on. But captain David Gower, returning to form with 78, and a determined 49 from Phil Edmonds, steered England to safety. India had no time left to force a result, and the game ended in a draw.

With a 2-1 victory in the series, England had defied all expectations and delivered one of their most remarkable tours in recent memory. It was a triumph that was hard-fought but well-earned, and it capped off a tour full of unexpected twists and turns. “We won the series against all odds,” Gower said, holding the trophy aloft. For England, this was a moment to savor as they returned home with the spoils of victory.