Indian Pacers help script historic win at Lord’s | India vs England 2nd Test Match Review

 

While the world stood at political unrest, the gentleman’s game emerged as an escape to billions of people once again. The 2nd Test Match at Lord’s was a fascinating tale of exemplary performances, miraculous comebacks and exquisite cricketing action for experts and fans alike. After the dust had finally settled, India emerged on top with a victory at the Mecca of cricket after 7 long years. How did it all unfold? Read the complete article to find out just how.

Playing XI:

India: Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ishant Sharma, Mohammad Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj.

England: Rory Burns, Dom Sibley, Haseeb Hameed, Joe Root (c), Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Mark Wood, James Anderson, Ollie Robinson.

India 1st Innings: India boosted by the Rahul-Rohit show as Anderson grabs 5-fer

India’s new opening pair of Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul proved just how good they are again in a spectacular display of their abilities. While KL started slow, it was Rohit Sharma who stole the show with his fantastic innings of 83. His innings laid the foundation for the rest of the team to act upon. The duo put a 126-run partnership before the former’s dismissal as this was India’s first 100-run opening partnership at Lord’s in over 69 years. Pujara’s (9) dreadful string with the bat continued as he could barely scratch the surface as Rahul was joined by the Indian skipper Virat Kohli. The duo put yet another century stand with Rahul playing the aggressor in this one. Kohli’s effective innings of 42 ended courtesy of Robinson as the wickets of KL Rahul (129) and vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane (1) soon fell as India went from looking unstoppable at 267-2 to being stranded at 282-5. Much needed cameos from Rishabh Pant (37) and Ravindra Jadeja (40) helped India reach a respectable total of 364 while the Indian tail could only contribute 8 runs. 39-year old Jimmy Anderson grabbed the limelight with the ball yet again with a 5-wicket haul as he continues to prove that he only gets better with age while Robinson and Wood grabbed a brace each. 

England 1st Innings: Joe Root’s “fab”ulous innings helps the hosts take the lead

Two back-to-back dismissals by India’s fiery sensation Mohammad Siraj put England in the back foot as Sibley (11) and Hameed (0) failed to give England the desired start. Skipper Joe Root walked in to bat at no. 4 and one could feel that he was on a one-man wrecking crew. Root and Burns joined hands and put together an inspired 85-run partnership which was the need of the hour for the hosts. Burns missed out on a well deserved half century by just a run as he was dismissed by Shami at 49. Bairstow (57) and Root put up yet another century plus stand as England looked comfortable at 229-3 before the former’s dismissal as skipper Root was nearing his century. Cameos from Buttler (23) and Moeen Ali (27) helped England’s cause as England’s innings was halted at 391 with a 27-run lead over India’s total. Skipper Joe Root stood not-out till the very end of the English innings at 180 which will be fondly remembered for years to come as one of the greatest test innings ever played at Lord’s. As far as Indian bowlers are concerned, Mohammad Siraj was the pick amongst them with figures of 30-7-94-4. Ishant grabbed 3 wickets as well as there was a brace for Mohammad Shami too.

India 2nd Innings: Sha-Boom dominate England, with the bat.

Upon arriving to bat on Day 4, India didn't get off to the greatest of starts as they lost KL Rahul early for 5. Rohit's entertaining cameo of 21 was short lived as well as he was yet again dismissed while playing his favourite pull shot as India looked to be in troubled waters. Virat Kohli failed to make it big again as he was dismissed for 20 by Sam Curran as the Englishmen began to get their tails up, restricting India for 55-3 with two out of form batsmen in Rahane and Pujara at the crease. However, against all odds, Rahane (61 off 146) and Pujara (45 off 206) batted through the insecurities and doubts and put together a solid partnership. The test veterans put together a 100-run stand which was a true test of their skill and determination as they rescued India from the lingering threat of yet another batting collapse. Pant (22) and Jadeja (3) couldn't really set the stage on fire with their bats as India was stuck at 209-8 with Bumrah and Shami at the crease and what followed next was one of the most miraculous tales of uprising in cricket history. The duo batted through the overs one after the other and grabbed every opportunity to score runs with both hands. They batted like they were the masters of their craft as if there was no tomorrow. Registering India's highest 9th wicket partnership in test history, the duo put together a 77-run partnership as India declared their innings at 286-8 with Shami and Bumrah remaining not-out at 56 and 34 each. Mark Wood was the pick amongst the English bowlers picking up 3-51 while Moeen Ali and Ollie Robinson grabbed a brace each as well. 

England 2nd Innings: England outclassed by Indian seamers

With a little under two sessions left and a target of 271 runs to chase, England's best course of action was to play for a draw. They had little to no idea of what was coming their way. Enter: The Indian Pace Battery. Removing both the openers for ducks, the Indians let everyone know that they were going after the win. Haseeb Hameed (9) and Jonny Bairstow (2) could barely get anything going on for them as after Root's dismissal for 33, as the English batting had collapsed at 67-5. A gritty effort from Buttler (25 off 96) in the later stages of the innings was commendable but it couldn't stop the inevitable. England were bowled out for 120 having left searching for answers with a few odd overs left to bowl as India registered a 151-run victory over the mighty Englishmen. Mohammad Siraj was the pick of the bowlers yet again registering figures of 10.5-3-32-4. Jasprit Bumrah, the man with the golden arm finished with 15-3-33-3 while Ishant grabbed a brace as well. 

Man of the Match: KL Rahul (129 and 5)

Conclusion: Oh what a formidable performance it was by the men in blue. They went from fighting to stay alive in the game on Day 4 to stealing the win in one of the most memorable test matches in recent memory. Melbourne, Brisbane and now Lords, this is definitely the dawn of a new era in Indian cricket. Gone are the days where the team would be dominated in overseas conditions, this team has what it takes to play fire with fire. That being said, India do take the lead in the 5 match series 1-0 with three matches still to go. For England it will be a bitter sweet memory. They had the game in the palm of their hands for a better part of the game but lost it all on Day 5. They'd look forward to learn from their mistakes and give their absolute best in the matches to come as we have loads of exquisite cricketing action coming our way.