India at Lord’s: Everything That Happened In the 2nd Test of the England Tour 2021

The 5-match Test series between India and England began on August 4. Since India lost to New Zealand in the inaugural ICC Test Championship, the England series holds an essential spot in India’s new campaign. The first Test match at Trent Bridge stadium, Nottingham ended abruptly after the day-five washout. At the conclusion, England – 183 and 303 (Root 109, Curran 32, Bumrah 5-64) drew with India – 278 and 52 for 1 (Rahul 26, Broad 1-18). India seemed likely to win the match, given that they needed 157 runs with nine wickets in hand on a quick-scoring ground. 

Joe Root was chosen as the Player of the Match, and deservedly so. He single-handedly saved the Test for the home side. Experts witnessed a more effective batsman at play who looked a level above his teammates. The Men in Blue were more concerned about the performances of their top Test players – Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane. Luckily though, KL Rahul now appeared as a confident opener because Team India accidentally lost Mayank Agarwal to a concussion before the commencement of the series. 

The next match began four days later at the Lord’s stadium, thankfully, the weather forecast showed clear skies in London. 

The 2nd Test at Lord’s

India went to the Home of Cricket with a tried and tested plan. However, there was one drawback. India’s multitasker Shardul Thakur suffered a hamstring strain. Ruling out of Thakur meant an open slot for Ishant Sharma or Umesh Yadav, given that the Indian skipper, Virat Kohli wished to continue with a four-pronged pace attack. Not to forget – historically, the Lord’s has been favorable to fast bowlers. 

After a round of discussion, Ishant Sharma was picked up. The slope and bounce of the Lord’s pitch have always been Ishant’s favorite. His career-best, 7/74, secured a Test win at the Lord’s seven years and that memory probably got him selected. 

Day 1: KL Rahul’s century sets India at a dominating position, ending the day with 273/3 at stumps

England chose to bowl after winning the toss. The decision pretty much backfired when Rahul followed his 1st Test fifty with a thunderous century in the 2nd. Backed by Rohit’s fifty and later on, Kohli’s 42, Rahul drove India to a consolidating position. 

Day 2: England 119/3 at stumps, trailing India by 245 runs

England dominated the morning session of the second day. They picking up 4 wickets for 70 runs. James Anderson, the strike bowler, picked up the 31st five-wicket-haul of his Test career. Team India batters were bowled out for 364 in their first innings.  

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Day 3: All out at 391, England lead by 27 runs

England’s Joe Root led the charge against the visitors. Scoring an unbeaten 180 off 321 deliveries, Root ensured a comeback for the hosts. In the bowling attack, Mohammed Siraj and Ishant Sharma protected Indian interests. While the former picked up 4 wickets for 94 runs, the latter took 3 wickets, conceding 69 runs.  

Day 4: India leads by 154 runs in the 2nd innings

The 100-run partnership between Pujara and Rahane for the fourth wicket stabilized the innings for the visitors. But after Tea, Mark Wood and Moeen Ali dismissed the pair as well as low-order powerhouse Jadeja to put India in a state of bother. While day 4 came to an end, everyone including the betting gians 10cric had already placed their stakes on England.

Day 5: India wins by 151 runs, secures 1-0 series lead

India declared after lunch setting a target of 272 runs to win in 60 overs. However, the hosts were bowled out for 120 in 51.5 overs, losing the in-form skipper Joe Root at 33. Mohammed Siraj shone with 4 wickets for 32 runs in the second innings. KL Rahul was named the Player of the Match.

Controversies

A string of controversies hovered over the 2nd Test at the Lord’s stadium. Here are three major incidents that sparked trending tweets among veterans and fans –

Ball-Tampering Allegations

Former cricketers Virender Sehwag and Akash Chopra took to Twitter to question if the hosts engaged in ball-tampering. Replays showed an English player stopping the ball with his spikes after the first one had kicked it with his shoe. England pacer Stuart Broad came forth to defend his teammates. He said, “Woody tried to nutmeg ( a Soccer term) Burnsy by tapping the ball through his legs (a very common occurrence) & he missed and kicked the ball there by accident.” 

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The Jarvo 69 Incident 

Jarvo, 69, a pitch invader, stole the limelight on Day 3 of the 2nd Test. He walked out onto the field, donning an Indian jersey, after lunch and began ordering field changes at Lord’s. It was a humorous spectacle as the players and commentators shared laughs and fans on social media launched a new stream of memes. 

Kohli-Anderson Spat 

On Day 4 of the second Test, an angry exchange occurred between James Anderson, England’s strike pacer, and the Indian Skipper, Virat Kohli. During the 17th over, in the first session, Kohli pointed out that Anderson was seemingly running on the danger zone of the pitch. This infuriated Anderson and he passed some comments. In response, the Indian captain said – “This isn’t your backyard!”

After winning the 2nd Test, Team India looks confident to reserve a series win in England. The 3rd Test is due to begin on 25 August at the Headingley Carnegie stadium.