India vs England – 2nd Test (Lord’s Cricket Ground)
Masks, Social distancing or avoiding crowds. You, me and probably most of us, were myopic in our definitions of the new normal. This novel trait has its roots way before pandemic came into the picture. The process was long, but results are worth for all the years of patience, perseverance and the unshaken resolve shown by the Indian side under the aggressive, and at-times expressive, leadership of Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri.
The new normal on the cricketing field relates to the historic outings by Indian side in Australia this year and England now. Normal was John Wright taking for granted that Indians will bowl for 120 overs. The new normal is winning matches out of nowhere with our pacers leading. The times have surely changed.
While there was little contention on the place of this side in the pages of history, the win at Lord’s rightly takes them to the center-stage where the finest have found their honorable mentions. Gabba, and Australia, was conquered with the relentless cricket and the attitude of the Indian side. This brand of cricket has now given them a moment to savor at the Lords or the ‘Home of cricket’.
Indian side lost the first test match to the clouds as the game was well within the Indian basket at Trent Bridge. The final day’s play succumbed to rain. The focus was onto Lords cricket ground where the memories of Dhoni and his side dislodging the Englishmen felt fresh. Still, however, the conditions at the start of the play denied Indian fans a chance to grow cocky. It was overcast and the English skipper Joe Root chose to bowl first. There were valid reasons for his choice and the history backed it.
James Anderson with Ollie Robinson presented a classic spell of test match bowling. It was in the 13th over, and after many “ooooohhs” and “aghs”, that India could get boundary to her name. Credits to the Indian openers for staying or rather surviving. They were keen, however, to score off the wandering deliveries from Sam Curran.
The opening partnership got to the 50-run stand after facing 123 balls. Though stagnant at times, they were vital in providing a steady base to the Indian batting. Wood with his extra pace had moments but was routinely or rather comfortably scored off by Rohit. English bowlers were bowling ‘good’ deliveries, but it accounts for nothing if the batsman is persevered into not making a mistake and the wicket tally says zero. There were natural adventures on Ali’s off spinners with both Rahul and Rohit targeting the long boundaries.
The lights were on, and the clouds had returned, James Anderson will take these conditions any day no matter his age. He got Rohit bowled after deceiving him off an outswinger. The Indian opener had to no answer to the incoming attack from masterful Anderson.
Pujara’s stay for 9 runs hinted his dry spell of runs. He gave a catching practice to Bairstow. Anderson had an upper hand over an edgy Pujara who was unsure of whether to play or Knick the deliveries. Rahul opened up after his opening partner departed and was on 55 at the end of second session.
With the last session of the day into action, there were eyes on Kohli and his struggle to score big in recent times. Kohli played few shots before Rahul overshadowed him with the sheer class he possesses. He got onto century with a cut.
The enhancement of Rahul, as a test batsman, has been mental and the technical tweaks are all cherry on the cake. He has been disciplined to the extent that has been most evident in the closeness of his body and the impact of bat and the ball. In simple words, he is playing the ball late artistically.
With the day gradually siding, Kohli edged one to his English counterpart in the slip cordon. Robinson was paid for his consistency into the ‘corridor of uncertainty’ and the Kohli was sent back. English lost their second review as Rahane, and Rahul walked off with India looking comfortable at the end of day one. India was 276-3.
Day 2. Clouds were on. Time seemed right for exceptions to be made when sun appears on an English pitch and not the other way around. Meanwhile, Robinson had the ball in hand for the first over. Rahul, who had driven magnificently throughout the first day, threw one straight into the hands of the cover off an expensive cover drive.
Rahane followed Rahul with Anderson shaping one way. Jadeja and Pant were onto the pitch after the starting minutes of Day 2. Pant was like Pant. He smashed the shorter ones and was occasionally out of his crease to pacers too. At this point, this is not very surprising. As his partnership with Jadeja was growing, Wood got his pace into play and Indian keeper edge one to his English counterpart. Indian tail was quick to dismantle.
Jadeja was falling short of partners and Anderson was quick to pounce on the tail enders. Wood got him (Jadeja) caught and the Indian side was all-out for 364. Indian openers were steady, and their base ensured that Indian side played for an impressive 126 overs on the alien English conditions.
English start was slow but there was a marked distinction in India’s steadiness and the English “block-a-thon” as Bumble puts it humbly. The opening stand looked to move ahead. Sibley looked steady for his stay but the knack of pouncing anything off his pads got him caught in a fashion like before. Hameed had been impressive in the county season but his comeback into the national side lasted a mere ball with him playing the wrong line. Siraj got him bowled and was on a hattrick.
With Root on the crease, going straight was the Indian mantra. Root played fine off his pads with a few notable close calls scattered amidst the wonderful outing. Siraj got to his pads twice and India lost two reviews with ball going down the legside. Runs were coming fine for English batters and Burns had some rhythm into his play with a bunch of boundaries coming quickly to his score.
Shami, however, got him stuck behind with an incoming delivery and Burns missed his half-century by a single. Bairstow was blocking until the day ended with his skipper showcased some fine touch for the important third day of the test match.
Day-3 of a test match is often crucial. A positive knock or a magical spell could get the clocks in favour of either side. Bairstow was looking to assist the batting side in getting the edge with some good looking and importantly positive shots. He was caught uncomfortable against the shorter ones from Siraj. With one flying close away from Pant, the Hyderabadi bowler was sharp in changing his bowling side and getting the gloves in play again.
While other batters of the current era appear to be changing their game to suit the style of test matches, Root seems to have no templates imposed over his batting. He was enjoying the bat onto the ball, and it is heartening to say that he remains few of those natural red-ball batters in this T20 dominated era.
The ball went popping up to the first slip this time. Root, on the other hand, was calm and settled to say the least. He greeted the English fans with a masterful century. Butler was fine but only with few shorts as he failed again to prevent the stumps from dislodging. The English middle order and its aversion to big individual scores, and responsibilities, continues. Root is a warm exception. Amidst some fancy shots from Ali, skipper Root cuts one through the slip barrage and gets to a 150-run mark. Ali was promising and resistant in his batting before he gave a catch to the slips off a well-pitched delivery from Ishant.
Butler was fine but only with few shorts as he failed again to prevent the stumps from dislodging. The English middle order and its aversion to big individual scores, and responsibilities, continues. Root is a warm exception. Amidst some fancy shots from Ali, skipper Root cuts one through the slip barrage and gets to a 150-run mark. Ali was promising and resistant in his batting before he gave a catch to the slips off a well-pitched delivery from Ishant.
Curran made all the effort to pad up and take a guard only to face one ball as his stay was a short to say the least. Robinson was helpful with the ball, but his batting was center of another drama. Siraj fired in straighter ones to his pad and while the few were just clipping the wickets and Robinson survived off umpire’s call. He was given LBW off a ball fairly down the leg and Ollie was sent back as per umpire’s decision. Call it even.
Wood got himself runout as he ran to find himself and Root on the same end. Naturally, he had to make the sacrifice. Root playing with Anderson played shots to ensure a healthy lead. Anderson, on the other hand, got some a taste of fierce bowling from Bumrah. Anderson had a dislike for the sharp bouncers and this exchange was going to shape the match. He was bowled by Shami, and hosts were leading by 27 runs.
Fourth day began with India starting their second inning. With two days on the hand, there was some serious classic test cricket action on cards. Indian batters began steadily with Rohit getting some swift boundaries. Rahul, however, was unsettled by a lethal incoming full-length ball from Anderson and Wood did the rest as he got his man caught behind.
He got Rohit off his trademark front-foot pull. The ploy to make the Indian batter hit the ball in air worked as Rohit gave a catch to Moeen after hitting a shot delivery for six off very recently.
While Kohli was playing his shots, Pujara got the first runs on the 35th ball. There was a cheer all around the ground. Perhaps, he should have lifted his bat. Kohli was fine until Sam Curran came with his proceedings. Not only the left-arm pacer got to the pads of Indian skipper, but he also got him fishing outside the off-stump which saw the end of yet another knock from Kohli.
Pujara and Rahane, with their form, have been a concern for India. Both these batters however steadied the ship for India and ensured that the routine flow of wickets was terminated. They were mindful of the need of the hour. They played long with Rahane crossing the half century and Pujara dismissed off a lethal delivery from Wood. The ball bounced to hit the gloves and the batter was caught unaware of the steep bounce that the ball suddenly generated.
Rahane, on the other hand, gave his wicket to Ali who had him uncertain. He edged a fairly simple ball to Butler. With two left handers on the crease, English skipper remembered his bowling abilities as well. The few odd ones did change their course from the rough. Ali gave India another blow before the day could finish. He got Jadeja trapped with the spin and his off stump stood exposed.
Roughly fifteen minutes after the wicket, there were signals from the Indian balcony. Kohli and Rohit wanted the day’s play to end as the lighting, they thought, was inapt. The day’s play soon ended. India was leading by 154 runs as they went into the last day. English side needed a wicket. Indian keeper’s departure would mean the arrival of Indian tail which is not famous for its batting ability. A change was on the cards.
The last day had an Indian side looking to drag its batting and the hosts who could sense their upper hand. With Pant flashing some boundaries and charging down eventually, there was very little doubt that the match would never be monotonous. Pant was dismissed off Robinson. He edged one straight to Butler. English were the absolute favorites to seal the game. Indian tail ender inspired little confidence with bat in hand. A boundary is often called a bonus.
Ishant was joined by Shami, and the duo chipped in with some heaves and picturesque full faces to get valuable runs. Ishant was declared LBW after sticking for 48 valuable minutes. Bumrah came on the crease and the drama started to unfold. English players were keen to avenge Bumrah’s spell catered to Anderson.
There was a barrage of bouncers with a fielder deployed to the flying third man. There was, at times, no slip. It is easy to say that English attack wanted to make a statement and taking a mere wicket was not primarily their immediate interest. Shami and Bumrah, however, were resilient.
Being hit on the head, being beaten, both the batters were keen to bat no matter what. This tendency of Indian tail to engage with the ball and the sheer desire to play in not witnessed in long times. Shami was playing his shots but was disciplined enough not to slog mindlessly. It was only his half-century that came up with a colossal six off Ali.
In a matter of mere overs, the tides had changed. The momentum was with the visitors. The game of cricket can continue for 5 days and nearly 400 or more overs, but in handful overs the whole game changes its favorites.
For many or most fans, such a stint from Indian tail was unprecedented. With Shami playing on 56 and Bumrah on 34, India declared their innings. Declaring was never an option for India when the day started, but here we were.
English side was given the target of 272 and Indian bowlers 65-odd overs to register a historic win for India. With a slow-moving English opening and the inform skipper, 10 wickets for Indian bowlers would not come easily. The fan in me who had seen cricket denied the miracle just like an orthodox uncle.
Bumrah started the Indian proceedings and the wicket off the 4th ball meant Burns was sent home. India had their doors in the gate and were ready to push it wide open. Shami got Sibley caught behind and English side had one run on the board with two wickets fallen. Hameed was in the middle with the mighty Root.
While Hameed was stagnant, Root was playing his natural game. The flow of boundaries from his bat were consistent. India called on their experienced campaigner for breaking the partnership and an angling delivery from Ishant moved enough to get Hameed LBW. There were attempts to stay straight to Root. Ishant, however, went in to Bairstow and the DRS caught him in front. India was in for a result in their favour. The only obstruction was Root.
The last session of the test match. What gets better?
India would do anything for the big wicket of Root and his departure in the first over off Bumrah turned the game on its head.
Butler and Ali, however, kept a draw in play. Butler was dropped earlier by Kohli. Ali, too, was caught behind off Jadeja only to realize later that he had overstepped. The nerves were evident in the Indian fans, they needed 5 English wickets in 25 overs.
There was, however, a relentless pursuit from the Indian side on the ground. The bowlers were charged up and it almost appeared as if they were sure of a wicket around. Siraj got Ali out in the slips and on the next ball gifted a king pair to Sam Curran. The Indian side could sense a victory real close.
Butler, however, was fighting hard. 12 overs and three wickets. Robinson had displayed some useful knuckled balls in his balling and was dismissed by Bumrah on a slower ball that he could not see while he was waiting to smell the leather up near his helmet. Siraj came into the attack and dislodged Butler when only handful overs remained in the day. A bruised Anderson was saved from Bumrah as he was cleaned bowled by Siraj to register 151-run victory for the visitors.
Post Match Thoughts
In hindsight, it can be seen that what Virat Kohli planned to initiate as a test captain has been cemented. He brought a change into the Indian side with his captaincy and more because of the personality that he carries. It is sheer fascination to see the team respond to him in a way that seems very Kohli-like. The side wanted to dominate in and outside India. Virat relied on his pace battery for the vital task of picking 20 wickets consistently and they have rarely disappointed ever since.
Credit is rightfully earned by the skipper and the Indian team management for nurturing a lethal pace line-up. While India proved themselves in Australia, this victory at the home of cricket cements the side and the skipper into the history of the sport. Indians were often celebrating a solitary win overseas, but this side aspires and has the quality to realize a series win in all conditions. A draw is disappointing. Times have changed. This win cements the change. The change has come and hopefully for a longer time.
Scorecard : India v England – 2nd Test Match
Highlights: Day 5 – The Thrill of Test match
~Shubham Sharma (Guest Author)
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