5 Nations who hold a better head to head Test record against India

Test cricket is the penultimate examination of a cricketer. It is a marathon which needs to be won with sheer dedication. With T20s taking the spotlight, is test cricket on a downfall?

The answer is NO! Test cricket is the highest level of cricket and will always be. Every former cricketer holds their test records close to heart considering the fact that how hard it is to be successful in the longest form of the game.

Team India is the number 1 ranked side in the world and have rightly earned their position. With 10 series wins out of last 11 there is no denying of their capability.

On their path to the top, they defeated the likes of England, Australia and South Africa along with Sri Lanka Bangladesh, NewZealand, West Indies and Afghanistan. With a record like that, it makes us wonder does any team has a better record over team India?

Is there any nation who holds a better head to head record versus India?

Well yes, there are such nations. India has been a powerhouse in cricket since its inception with numerous away and home victories to solidify their status as the elite.

But there are 5 nations who hold a better head to head record versus team India in test cricket.

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#1 England

India's Rahul Dravid (C) talks with England's Kevin Pietersen

England and India have had a storied rivalry till now. Be it ODIs, T20s or test cricket whenever these two nations meet fireworks are expected. From India's monumental win at Lords in 1986 to England's demolition of team India at Wankhede in 2013, these two giants of international cricket have given many memories.

In fact, the first opponents of team India in test cricket were the mighty Englishmen. The match ended with a defeat for team India as they lost by 158 runs to England at Lords,1932.

Though India have a far superior home record against their English counterparts, they fall behind in the race when overall victories are concerned.

Of all the nations. India have played England for the most number of times. In 117 matches till date, they have won 25 and lost 43. Rest 49 ended up in draw thus giving an edge to England when it comes to head to head record. With team India's tour of England underway let us see whether India can reduce the gap or not.

#2 Australia

Glenn McGrath

Australia have met India on 94 occasions in test cricket. Of those 94, the Aussies have been victorious 41 times whereas team India have been in the winning corner on 26 instances and rest ended in a draw. Australia and West Indies have had each played India for second most number of times after England.

India and Australia share a fierce history with controversies arising every time these two giants collide. But there is one thing for sure when teams of such high calibre collide - entertainment.

Watching Sachin Tendulkar up against Glenn McGrath from the very first ball was a treat for every cricket fan around the world. The sheer amount of talent these countries export is what truly makes them elite. Though the recent Border-Gavaskar trophy went to India for their 2-1 series win in India, they still lack behind when it comes to overall victories.

#3 West Indies

Viv Richards of the West Indies

India and West Indies have locked horns on 94 occasions with team India coming out victorious on just 18 instances and the west indies side prevailing in 30. Rest 46 ended in a draw. While India have dominated in recent times, west indies were the one before the 21st century.

The classic battles between the two powerhouses can be talked about for hours the amount of stars at the show for these two nations is immense.

West Indies is where the legendary Indian batsman Sunil Gavaskar debuted and rest, as they say, is history. The only time team India won a series in West Indies until 2000 was in 1971 courtesy of a dynamic debutant in the name of Sunil Gavaskar who top-scored for India on the course of the series by scoring 774 runs to help India beat West Indies 1-0 in the 5-match test series.

India and West Indies have had some of the greatest cricketers come toe to toe for test match success, from Sir Viv Richards, Clive Lloyd, Gary Sobers, Mohinder Amaranth, Kapil Dev to Brian Lara, Rahul Dravid, Michael Holding, legends everywhere.

#4 South Africa

South Africa a nation in which India have never won a test series. Yes, you read that right India have never won a series in South Africa. Of the 36 times these two giants have collided, India have won 11, lost 15 and draw 10.

South Africa and India have had some close encounters over the years. Imagining some of those encounters going in India's favour tells us how the stats might have differed.

The recent series between these two nation narrates our story. South Africa won the first two tests before India crawled their way back to win the last match. the series ended 2-1 in favour of South Africa and thus India failed to win a test series in South Africa yet another time.

Indian cricket fans really wish to see team India winning a test series against South Africa in South Africa.

#5 Pakistan

Probably the greatest cricket rivalry of all time, when India and Pakistan play the world stops. The two countries filled with fans have been at loggerheads for many years. Players consider it personal and fans feel connected to this monumental clash.

Over the years India and Pakistan have had some memorable battles. From Imran khan's devastating spell in Karachi to Virender Sehwag's triple century at Multan, the two teams have done it all.

The two teams don't play that often now due to political tension between both the nations.

Over the years India and Pakistan have met on 59 occasions in test cricket. Team India have won just 9 of those while Pakistan have been slightly better with 12 victories. though the margin isn't that big, it will still hurt every Indian cricket fan to know that they lack behind their neighbours.

Records have bee broken every time these two nations meet and the world wants to see them play on a regular basis again.

The legendary Kapil Dev relished playing against Pakistan. With 99 wickets to his name, Kapil Dev is the leading wicket-taker in India vs Pakistan test rivalry.