The drama at the Slope was expected but no one thought would go down to the dying minutes of the Test match. The seamless switch from the television sets at home to TMS in the car amplified by the buzzing group chats discussion was celebrating the cricket fever all over. The twist and anti-climax was in abundance testing our blood pressure, the numb of actions as a result of nervousness and anxiety rose by 1000%. Am I writing a novel or a Cricket blog (I pinch myself)?
The fourth day of Lords test is when the drama started to unfold when India was three wickets down. Pujara and Rahane started grinding in the middle the recipe of resilience soup. The hot soup turned pretty cold when the light started going out which was capitalised by England bowlers. We witnessed the same thing in Trent Bridge losing three quick wickets during the period of an overcast weather conditions. If you take a look further back, the same happened in the World Cup Semis. India was at the receiving end of losing matches whenever they were bundled out in an overcast condition. Indians back home wake up to sun on their face which kind of gives a start to an active day. If it rains then masala chai and pakora is in the menu and calmly sit down. It is very evident that talent is not an issue for Team India but the weather probably takes away their mind from the game as the body is not used to cold breeze. Humming "Take the weather with you", if there was an option.
In the yesteryears, India have been effective dealing any challenge on Day 5. They may exit ugly on day three but not on Day five. The Day 5 at Lords was sunny and the Indian fans were awaiting for the resilience to kick in. The Lord’s slope rolled up and ready for the drama. The Tom and Jerry is the show. Tom the high profile English bowling attack and Jerry the long tail of India. The tail lit the fire and the lead ticking. It was like watching status bar eagerly while installing a software ( tail enders batting stopped, sailed and entered green area and it looks like all the way green at lunch). Once again Team India resilience silenced the opponents.
Post lunch, historical events for India all the way. Bowlers took the opportunity in both their hands. Siraj became the go to bowler for India once again forcing King Pairs for Sam Curran. Siraj put all the left handers in place except for Burns who was handled by Bumrah. The Brahmastra was to bowl around the wicket and every time they did it they were successful. It turned out the limelight was stolen by Jerry once again.
On a lighter note, the Lords test match if shown on Netflix would have been rated 15 due to the war of words that took place in the middle. Also, the peppering display portraying the grit of the bowlers. Of course the drama had the comedy act with an intrusion of 13th man for Team India.
England team have lot to think about. The records of ducks of openers, King pair etc must be rubbing salt on the wound and I am sure they will come back hard after the short break.
In the end, it was an extended Independence Day celebrations for Indian fans. It was only third time India won the Lords test and it is very special. Virat certainly ticked one from his bucket list.
Congratulations Team India!
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