ENG v IND 2021: Hats off to India; Kohli and his boys were just stunning at Lord's, says David Gower

Gower said India deserved the second Test win and a 1-0 lead in the Test series against England.

David Gower hailed India | Getty Images

Former England captain David Gower was mightily impressed with India after they scripted a memorable victory in the second Test at Lord’s Cricket Ground against England on August 16.

Team India started the fifth and final day at 181/6 but ended up with 298/8 declared, thanks to Mohammad Shami (56*) and Jasprit Bumrah’s (34*) stunning efforts with the bat (an unbeaten 89-run partnership).

Then, the Indian bowlers once again stunned the Englishmen by bowling them out for just 120 to record a thrilling 151-run victory in the second Test to take a 1-0 lead in the ongoing five-match Test series against England.

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Following the historic victory of India at Lord’s, Gower hailed the Indian cricket team for the passion they showed, especially on Day 5, saying it was a stunning display, and hats off to the tourists.

Gower told Cricket.com: “That was a stunning final day performance. Literally stunning. The last hour and a half in the morning, that really decided the game. My great friend and ex-colleague Michael Atherton often used to say 'Test matches can be lost in one bad session'. Well, that was one bad hour that cost England.”

He further added, “But hats off to India. Just the way bowlers kept going, just the way Kohli’s enthusiasm kept them going, just showed everyone how passionate this Indian team is. They are 1-0 up and they fully deserve it.”

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The second Test was an evenly-contested game at Lord’s until India dominated England on Day 5 and the Englishman was happy that rain didn’t play a spoilsport in the game like the first Test at Trent Bridge.

Gower signed off by saying, “It was a great match. It is what we, as traditionalists, like. We like a game that lasts all the way through five days, has twists and turns, has people wondering who is going to win and there are enough twists and turns to keep a fan going over five days. That’s what we love about Test cricket. That’s what makes it entertaining - in a very different way to white-ball cricket we see so much of, these days.”

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 19 Aug, 2021

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