New Delhi: It was India’s Javagal Srinath moment from the Chennai Test in 1999 all over again as the Lord’s Test ended in the most epic anti-climax. Mohammed Siraj, India’s 11th man, saw a delivery from Shoaib Bashir getting rolled on to his stumps, sealing India’s fate in the enthralling Lord’s Test. England survived a late scare to clinch a thrilling 22-run victory after successfully defending a low-key 192 on a tricky 5th-day pitch at Lord’s.
A steely Ravindra Jadeja stood between England and victory till the very end, but his valiant effort was not enough as India ended up falling short in the end. Jadeja waged a lone battle with an unbeaten 61, holding India’s innings together despite the visitors losing wickets at regular intervals from the other end in the tense chase on Day 5.
But his defiance went in vain. England bowled their hearts out and gave the last drop of sweat in ensuring they pulled off a dramatic yet defining victory, which can prove to be a turning point in the series. Let’s be fair, it was India’s game to lose after England were bowled out for 192 in their 2nd innings on Day 4.
How India failed their biggest test in the series yet
India would have happily taken a 193-run chase with a day and a little more left, and 10 wickets to spare for a 4th innings chase to win the Lord’s Test after both teams managed exactly 387 each in their respective first innings. And it wouldn’t have been overconfidence by any stretch, given the depth in India’s in-form batting line-up, which consisted of not one but three all-rounders.
Though writing was on the wall for the visitors after they were reduced to 58/4 at stumps on Day 4, the game was still poised for a gripping finish heading into the final day, with India requiring 135 runs to win, with six wickets in hand. With a set KL Rahul in the middle and a long lower middle-order to follow, India had every reason to believe that they could have pulled it off despite the pressure being ominous.
Resuming their second innings on 58/4 on Day 5, India needed their experienced batters to step up and take the onus in what was going to be a challenging chase. However, the visitors were blown away as the England pacers took control of the proceedings in the morning session. Jofra Archer sent the dangerous Rishabh Pant packing before Stokes accounted for Rahul’s wicket.
Archer returned to remove Washington Sundar on a duck to leave India reeling at 82/7, diminishing any hopes of a comeback. However, Jadeja saw light at the end of the tunnel and held his nerves to add 30 runs for the 8th wicket with Nitish Reddy and keep India in the chase.
Not many believed India would survive even a handful of overs in the next session after losing Reddy right at the stroke of Lunch. But Jadeja had other plans. The all-rounder batted valiantly alongside tail-enders Bumrah and Siraj to take India within touching distance of an unlikely win. The all-rounder showed stomach for a fight en to his unbeaten 61, however, he eventually ran out of partners as India were bowled out for 170.
But the failure was clearly on the part of India’s famed batting line-up. From Yashavsi Jaiswal going for a duck in a seemingly gettable chase to Shubman Gill and Karun Nair throwing their wickets away cheaply towards the end of play on Day 4, the cracks were there for everyone to notice. The expectations were sky high for Rishabh Pant, in the hope of another Gabb-esque miracle.
However, with an injured finger, the left-hander could have only done so much. Jadeja turned up with one of the best knocks of his career overseas, but such is the cruelty of sport that he had to finish on the wrong side despite no fault of his in what was a monumental effort with the bat.
After struggling with their bowling in the first two Tests, England’s pace attack finally came lively on a spicy Day 5 track at Lord’s, thanks to the inclusion of Jofra Archer, who made early inroads for the hosts to exploit. India will have to go back to the drawing board and learn from their mistakes as they reflect on the defeat after missing out on pulling off a stunner at Lord’s.
It would be an onerous task for Gill & Co. to bounce back and script a historic Test series victory, as it would be nearly impossible to win back-to-back Tests against England. However, this Indian team, despite being in transition, has shown it has all the tools required to do the unthinkable.