- The ongoing five-Test match series between India and England has thrown up some spectacular performances for the true connoisseurs of Cricket in the two concluded contests so far. In hindsight, Team India could have been setting pretty with 2-0 wins if the first Test match in Nottingham was not raided out on the last day. The Indian team was well placed to win that Test too before rain played spoilsport. No such hick-ups were visible at Lords as Team India performed admirably in both batting as well as bowling to beat the hosts in an extraordinarily convincing fashion. Going into the last day, very few would have placed their bets on Team India to emerge victorious as they were uncomfortably positioned mostly playing to save the match.
PC: Karthik Nair
- However, the talismanic and extremely aggressive Virat Kohli at the helm significantly believes that anything can be achieved even if the odds do not favour. Of course, not for nothing, it is mentioned that fortune favors the brave and indeed the outcome of the second Test match truly reflects the maxim in totality. Wriggling out of the position that Team India found itself on the fifth day and overturning the fate of the match on its head demands fabulous performances even if it comes from unlikely players. Mohammad Shami and Jasprit Bumrah are well-known exponents of pace bowling are stating the obvious. The two bowling stalwarts emerged as catalysts with the bat to dent the confidence, morale, and shut England out of the equation is just amazing.
- Their crucial partnership when the batting chips were down enabled Kohli to not only declare the second innings with a commanding lead but also allowed him to go for the kill in the available 60 overs on the fifth day. What transpired in the last two sessions will go down as nothing short of mesmerizing cricket that only a unique blend of Test match intrigues and nuances produce. Relentless spell of quality pace/swing bowling from the Indian quartet simply decimated the host team in a little over 50 overs to go one-up in the series. The timely capitulation of Joe Root led group would immensely worry the English pundits no end. Except for the captain, the team indeed appears less competitive to take on the rampaging Indians from here on.
PC: PTI
- Due credit should go to the way KL Rahul, who scored an eye-catching century, and Rohit Sharma batted on the first day having been sent in by the opposition thereby setting the stage for the eventual win. Under pressure, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane forging a crucial partnership in the second innings is also a notable contribution in the overall context of the game. Of course, bowlers performing exceedingly well in both the innings, especially Mohammed Siraj, deserves special mention. It will be an uphill task for the hosts to stop the marauding Team India in the remaining three Tests. Knowing fairly well how the game plays out, it will be surprising if the Indian team fails to clinch the series 3-1, if not 4-0. Over to Virat Kohli and his band of marauders.
