On July 21, nine years ago, India achieved a historic Test victory at Lord’s after 28 long years due to Ishant Sharma’s brilliant fast bowling performance, where he took seven wickets for conceding 74 runs only.
England’s captain Alastair Cook decided to bowl first after winning the toss in this match. In response, India put up a competitive total of 295 runs on the board, primarily with an outstanding century by Ajinkya Rahane.
England managed to secure a slight lead, but in the second innings, India made a strong comeback, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ravindra Jadeja scoring half-centuries, abolishing the English attack.
On the final day of the Test match, MS Dhoni’s strategic brilliance and Ishant Sharma’s bowling turned the wave in India’s favor. The victory marked one of India’s finest overseas wins, proving to be a memorable moment in cricket history. Let’s now recall the three most unforgettable highlights from India’s thriving victory at Lord’s in 2014.
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Sharma’s Magical Spell Leads India to Victory in the Series
In the first innings, Sharma couldn’t take any wickets, but the second innings saw a stunning turnaround for this tall fast bowler. He dismissed Ian Bell and Cook, turning the tables in his favor on Day 4.
During the opening session on Day 5, the hosts dominated utterly. Joe Root and Moeen Ali appeared to be in exceptional form, and India could not secure any wickets in the first session.
However, a clever change in strategy was suggested to Sharma, leading him to trouble the batters with short-pitched deliveries. Surprisingly, the plan worked like magic. Caught off guard, Ali attempted to avoid the delivery but gave a glove to the short-leg fielder.
In the following session, England’s batters made the same mistake repeatedly, and it was amazing to witness how an international team succumbed one after another to a well-known tactic.
Matt Prior, Ben Stokes, Joe Root, and Stuart Broad fell to the short-pitched deliveries. Prior and Root played good shots but gave away easy catches to the deep midwicket and deep square fielders, respectively.
Ishant Sharma’s outstanding figures of 7/74 led him to the well-deserved Player of the Match award as India secured a 95-run victory, taking a 1-0 lead in the series.
Ajinkya Rahane’s Heroic Innings Rescues India from Crisis
The pitch had a slight covering of live grass, making the conditions extremely challenging for the Indian top-order batters. Unfortunately, they could not steady the innings as wickets kept falling consistently.
Amidst the flurry of wickets, Ajinkya Rahane displayed a magnificent batting performance, refusing to let the English bowlers dominate him. He played his shots, and the runs flowed smoothly & fearlessly.
Rahane scored 103 runs in 154 deliveries, smashing 15 fours and a six. His batting was terrific, especially considering India’s difficult situation at one point. From a shaky 145/7, his century was pivotal in guiding India close to the 300-run mark.
Though his innings ended with a brilliant return catch from James Anderson, Rahane didn’t hesitate to play the fantastic shots.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s Brilliance Reshapes the Game
Bhuvneshwar Kumar emerged as the unsung hero of the match, playing an equally crucial role alongside Ishant Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane.
Kumar demonstrated his unwavering spirit and commendable batting in the first innings, forging a game-changing partnership with Rahane. His valuable 36 runs bolstered India’s first-innings total to 295.
Kumar, the swing master, dismantled the England top order, sending Cook, Sam Robson, and Ian Bell back to the pavilion with only 70 runs on the board.
When England seemed balanced to seize a significant lead, Kumar secured the pivotal wicket of Gary Ballance. Ultimately, he finished with impressive figures of 6/82, limiting England to a meager 24-run lead.
In the second innings, Kumar replicated his vital contribution with the bat. Partnering with Ravindra Jadeja, he shared a crucial 99-run stand for the 8th wicket, again exerting pressure on England. His half-century played a pivotal role in setting a formidable target for England.
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