The Indian pace quartet put in a spectacular performance to help the visitors clinch a thrilling 151-run win against England in the second Test at Lord’s. Chasing 272 to win in 59.3 overs in the second innings on a day 5 pitch, England were bowled out for 120, as none of the English batsmen were able to handle the high-quality pace bowling of Jasprit Bumrah (3/33), Mohammed Siraj (4/32), Mohammed Shami (1/13) and Ishant Sharma (2/13).
Skipper Joe Root (33) and Jos Buttler (25) delayed the inevitable, but the other batsmen were unable to provide them much support.
Earlier, Shami and Bumrah achieved the unthinkable by first batting England out of contest and then leaving the hosts in tatters at 67 for 4 at tea on day five of the second Test. From a situation where a defeat looked imminent after Rishabh Pant’s (22) early dismissal, Shami (56 not out, 70 balls) and Bumrah (34 not out, 64 balls) displayed great resolve in a record 89-run stand for the ninth wicket as India declared at 298 for 9, just 10 minutes into post lunch session to set England a 272-run target.
With a golden chance of victory lost and shoulders drooping, the target was out of question after Rory Burns (0) closed his bat face to an already charged up Bumrah and Shami removed Dom Sibley (0) with a killer leg-cutter.
Haseeb Hameed’s (9) comeback was cut short by Ishant Sharma before the Indian pacer trapped Jonny Bairstow in front at stroke of tea.
Root, too, fell in the first over after the break, nicking one to Kohli off Bumrah to spark off wild celebrations.
Moeen Ali (13) and Buttler then played out 95 balls to put on 23 runs. But Siraj, who four wickets in the first innings, brought India roaring back into the match with the wickets of Ali and Sam Curran (0) off successive deliveries.
But, Buttler and Ollie Robinson, endured some tense moments, battling the Indian bowlers and a vocal fielding unit led by skipper Kohli, to raise hopes of a precious draw. But Bumrah returned to fox Robinson with a slower one to trap him LBW, which India reviewed successfully. The wicket unsettled Buttler, who nicked one from Siraj in the next over, to fall after a dogged 25 off 96 balls. Siraj then finished off the famous win, castling James Anderson for a duck two balls later.
However, the day was about how India’s much criticised tail wagging vigorously with Shami scoring the most important half-century and Bumrah showing steely resolve to defy the English attack.
Ishant (16) also made a nice little contribution as the tail-enders between them accumulated 98 runs, something that India have been missing before the start of the series.
India now lead the five-match series 1-0, after the first Test ended in a draw. The third match starts on August 25 at Leeds.