Indian Team Will Never Forget 2nd Test Win At Lord’s: VVS Laxman

VVS Laxman, the former India batsman has opined that Team India will treasure their win at Lord’s on Monday for the rest of their lifetime, given the circumstances on Day 5 of the Test. India began the last day at 181/6 with only Rishabh Pant left to bat in the company of four fast bowlers.

With the odds stacked against India, England was the favourites to wrap up the Indian innings quickly and look for a victory at the home of cricket.

VVS Laxman: Indian Team Will Treasure Lord’s Win For Their Lifetime

But India scripted an epic comeback and went on to pick up six wickets in the final session to register their third Test victory at Lord’s. Resuming from 181-6, leading by only 154 runs, India was soon reduced to 209-8, losing both their overnight batsmen in the form of Rishabh Pant and Ishant Sharma before the pair of Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah’s partnership changed the course of the match, tilting it in favour of India.

Speaking to ESPNcricinfo at the end of the second Test against England, VVS Laxman said: “I think they (Indian team) will never ever forget this win. They will treasure this win for their lifetime, keeping in mind the situation the team was in at the start of the fifth day, overly depending on Rishabh Pant and the tail to follow.”

“And I just felt the energy and the enthusiasm you saw in each and every over was amazing. It was infectious. The captain led the way. The intensity is always there when Virat Kohli is on the field captaining,” said VVS Laxman.

VVS Laxman felt that England lost the plot with their bowling strategies against Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami in the first session on Day 5. He stated that the hosts would repent their tactical blunders on the field.

Mohammed Shami hitting a fifty and Jasprit Bumrah hanging around for a solid 34 as the two tail-enders added 89 not out for the 9th wicket. India then returned to the field with their pacers charged up. After picking up 2 wickets early, India went on to bowl England out for 120 in less than 52 overs to go 1-0 up in the 5-match series

VVS Laxman: It Was A Complete Team Effort As England Would Repent Tactical Blunders While Bowling To Indian Tailenders

The 46-year-old former batsman also emphasized the character shown by the bowlers, especially Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, in unfavourable circumstances. He applauded them for not wilting under pressure as English players indulged in verbal duels and employed short pitch bowling against them in the first session on the last day.

In this regard, VVS Laxman said: “All the bowlers were charged up. And I think this is a great testament to the character the team has shown over the last 2 to 3 years. I mean this is as critical or as important win for Team India as it was in Brisbane.”

“You know because of the fantastic display of character from two tailenders Jasprit Bumrah and Shami. The English bowlers tried to attack them with a lot of short pitch deliveries and a lot of verbal duel going on, but they showed the character, they stood firm. I thought it was a complete team effort. And the English team will just repent at some of the tactical blunders they made while bowling to Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami.”