Lord’s Test: India didn’t deviate from the central theme – team before self, says VVS Laxman | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The manner in which India fashioned a famous Test win at Lord’s will be part of the stories these players will tell their grandkids in the time to come. The incredible nature of Virat Kohli & Co’s comeback, first with runs from out-of-form Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane and then a wagging tail, speaks volumes of the team effort, which former India batsman VVS Laxman feels was the central theme of India’s memorable win at the ‘Home of Cricket’.
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“What an incredible win! Over five days at Lord’s, what struck me the most was the energy and the spirit of this wonderful Indian side. Yes, they are immensely skillful, but not for the first time this year, it was their resolve and attitude that carried the day even though the dice was loaded slightly in England’s favour on the last morning,” Laxman wrote in his column for The Times of India on Wednesday.
India had its backs to the wall at eight down, but Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah added crucial 89 runs that put India back in position to call the shots in the 60 overs the visitors had to bowl England out.

“Often, it takes just one partnership to turn the tide. When that comes from unexpected quarters, it does wonders to the mood of the camp. That’s exactly what happened when Jasprit Bumrah walked in to join Mohammed Shami with India’s lead well below 200,” wrote Laxman.
“After his barrage to James Anderson, Bumrah would have anticipated a hostile reception. To his credit, he handled it admirably and got so much under England’s skin that they completely lost the plot.
“Their desire to inflict physical damage played right into Bumrah and Shami’s hands, and with mounting confidence, they swelled India’s lead with several delightful strokes.
“The moment of the match for me was off the field, when the entire Indian contingent came down from the dressing room and gathered at the Long Room to welcome these two warriors back at the lunch break. If ever there was an example of celebrating their mates’ success,” the former Test specialist added.

Laxman said the way Indian bowlers began clearly sent a message to England that Virat’s boys “would settle for nothing less than victory.”
“This was a win for the collective. There were several outstanding individual performances, but India didn’t deviate from the central theme – team before self — which was most heartening to see,” he said.
“To have the belief that 60 overs was enough time for the four-pronged pace attack to bowl England out a second time on what was a slow, placid surface shows how far India have come as a Test force. The quicks didn’t disappoint Virat Kohli, and not for the first time, the mercurial Mohammed Siraj was the driving force.
“Bumrah, Shami and old warhorse Ishant Sharma were equally hostile and relentless, and from their body language, you could make out that India would settle for nothing less than victory.”

Laxman said England have sorely missed another couple of batsmen joining Joe Root to score runs. At the moment, the England skipper is “practically” the lone warrior as far as run-scoring is concerned for the home team.
“As brilliantly as Joe Root played in the first innings, he is practically waging a lone battle. Apart from Jonny Bairstow, no one inspires any hope, and I fear it could be a long three Tests ahead for the home side. From here on, I’d regard anything less than a comprehensive series win for India as a shock result,” the Indian batting great reckoned.
India went on to win the Test by 151 runs, with under 10 overs left to play on day five.

Laxman felt the foundation of the win was laid on the first morning by openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul, who went on to add his name to the Lord’s Honours Board with his knock of 129. Pujara and Rahane then struck form when India needed it the most in the second innings.
“There were positives galore for the visitors. KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma showing tremendous discipline and self-control on the first morning after being put in in the most demanding batting conditions of the game was wonderful.
“Their assurance and composure didn’t rub off on the middle order as, like Nottingham, India threw England a lifeline. But when the occasion so demanded in the second innings, the seasoned duo of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane hinted at a return to their best rhythm, which will further exacerbate England’s worries,” he concluded.