(Cricket news) Indian cricket has an amazing love affair with Lords. The home of cricket has given Indian fans lots of memories over the years, from Kapil Dev lifting the 1983 World Cup to Sourav Ganguly's 'Statement' shirt waving after winning the Natwest trophy. Out of all the memorable moments one that doesn't get talked about enough is India's first test win in Lords after 28 years.
India in their entire cricketing history have only won two tests at Lords. Out of the other 16 matches, 12 were won by England the rest have been draws. The first victory came in 1986 under the captaincy of Kapil Dev. India won the toss and elected to bowl first. Chetan Sharma's fifer helped restrict England to 294 as Graham Gooch top scored at 114.
In reply, India scored 341 thanks to Dilip Vengsarkar's hundred and Mohinder Amarnath's 69. India came out to bowl with a lead of 47 and Kapil Dev caused havoc as he picked up England's top 3 with only 35 runs on the board. England were bowled out for 180 runs leaving India to chase 134 in the last innings. Kapil Dev, Ravi Shastri and Sunil Gavaskar all played cameos to secure a 5 wicket victory.
India then had to wait 28 years for a victory at the Mecca of cricket. After drawing the 1st test India came to Lords for their 2nd test in their 2014 tour. England skipper Alistair Cook won the toss and elected to bowl first. Ajinkya Rahane's century helped India to a 295 run first innings total. England in return scored 319 courtesy of a hundred by Gary Ballance. Bhuvneshwar Kumar put his name on the honours board with a fifer.
Trailing by 24 runs, Murli Vijay's 95 off 247 balls set a tone for the Indian innings. India's middle order was swept up in no time by Liam Plunkett but all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Bhuvneshwar Kumar helped India set a formidable target of 318. Enter Ishant Sharma, the tall fast bowler ran over the entire England line up by picking 7 wickets for 74 while Ravindra Jadeja and Mohommed Shami provided good support. India ended up winning the match by 95 runs.
Despite England's lack of form and India's amazing performance in the 1st test, beating England at Lords is no easy task. Joe Root's men have a point to prove and with James Anderson and Stuart Broad around, England can never be counted out. Shardul Thakur is set to miss the match because of an Injury which makes it very difficult for Virat Kohli to play four seamers.
The Indian middle order of Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane will be under the scanner after underwhelming performances in the past year or so. Whether Mayank Agarwal, Ishant Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin make the XI after missing out in Trent Bridge remains to be seen.
