Team India on Monday (August 16) registered an emphatic 151-run victory over England in the second Test at Lord’s to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match Test series.
The visitors bundled out England within the two sessions on the final day, having set a target of 272 in the fourth innings.
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Reflecting on the historic win, batting legend VVS Laxman, in his column for TOI, wrote: "What an incredible win! Over five days at Lord’s, what struck me the most was the energy and the spirit of this wonderful Indian side. Yes, they are immensely skillful, but not for the first time this year, it was their resolve and attitude that carried the day even though the dice was loaded slightly in England’s favour on the last morning."
On Day 5, the tourists slipped to 209/8 within the first hour of the morning session. India's lead was only 182 at that point and the hosts were looking in a commanding position.
However, pacers Mohammad Shami (56*) and Jasprit Bumrah (34*) changed the course of the game with their unbeaten 89-run stand for the ninth wicket as India declared their second innings on 298/8.
It was an incredible effort with the bat by Shami, Bumrah and they received a rousing welcome from the entire Indian team in the long room at Lunch break.
"Often, it takes just one partnership to turn the tide. When that comes from unexpected quarters, it does wonders to the mood of the camp. That’s exactly what happened when Jasprit Bumrah walked in to join Mohammad Shami with India’s lead well below 200," wrote Laxman.
"After his barrage to James Anderson, Bumrah would have anticipated a hostile reception. To his credit, he handled it admirably and got so much under England’s skin that they completely lost the plot.
"Their desire to inflict physical damage played right into Bumrah and Shami’s hands, and with mounting confidence, they swelled India’s lead with several delightful strokes.
"The moment of the match for me was off the field, when the entire Indian contingent came down from the dressing room and gathered at the Long Room to welcome these two warriors back at the lunch break. If ever there was an example of celebrating their mates’ success," he added.
Joe Root and company had to bat less than two sessions to defend the Test match but they failed to do so as India’s pace-quartet demolished the English batting line-up.
While Mohammed Siraj (4-32) and Bumrah (3-33) did the bulk of the damage with the ball, Ishant Sharma (2-13) and Shami (1-13) chipped in with three scalps between them.
"This was a win for the collective. There were several outstanding individual performances, but India didn’t deviate from the central theme – team before self — which was most heartening to see," Laxman stated.
"To have the belief that 60 overs was enough time for the four-pronged pace attack to bowl England out a second time on what was a slow, placid surface shows how far India have come as a Test force. The quicks didn’t disappoint Virat Kohli, and not for the first time, the mercurial Mohammed Siraj was the driving force.
"Bumrah, Shami and old warhorse Ishant Sharma were equally hostile and relentless, and from their body language, you could make out that India would settle for nothing less than victory."
VVS Laxman also praised KL Rahul (129) and Rohit Sharma (83) for leading the foundation of the victory with their 126-run opening stand on Day 1.
"There were positives galore for the visitors. KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma showing tremendous discipline and self-control on the first morning after being put in in the most demanding batting conditions of the game was wonderful.”
(With TOI inputs)
