ENG VS IND TESTS

That's a wrap to the Lord's Test. It was an outstanding game with both teams taking its turn to dominate. India did a bit extra on the final day and that's the reason why they now have 14 points in the ICC World Test Championship. The visitors go top of the table, displacing West Indies who were number one after registering a heart-pumping one-wicket win against Pakistan on Sunday. Right then, that's all we have from this clash. The third Test match will start on 25th August 2021 at Headingley. The first ball will be at 1100 local (1000 GMT) but the build-up will begin much in advance. Cheers!

KL RAHUL IS THE MAN OF THE MATCH! The Indian opener says that it was a proud moment for him and he is happy that his knock helped in a win for India. Adds that they had to give India a good start and his stand with Rohit was very crucial. Mentions that they have been working hard on their skills and even in the first game, the batsmen showed a lot of discipline. Hopes to continue the same in the next three games. On the onfield banter, KL Rahul replies that this is what you expect with two very competitive teams playing and they don't mind a bit of banter. Shares that the bowlers were very pumped after that and wanted to have a go at the English batters.

Virat Kohli, the Indian skipper, walks up with a big smile on his face. He says that he is super proud of the whole team for the way they stuck to their plans. Adds that the pitch didn't offer much to the bowlers. Further says that the way they played in the second innings was excellent and praises Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami. Shares that they had the belief that they can get England all out in 60 overs. On giving Shami and Bumrah a standing ovation at the Lord's Long Room, Kohli replies that it's necessary to applaud what they did and says that it's tough for them for the way they batted. States that both Shami and Bumrah were charged up and brought them the first two wickets at the start as well. Informs that they wanted to improve on their lower order batting and this was one of the focuses and the batting coach has worked hard. Feels that the belief was missing but now they have the desire to do the job for the team. Tells that those were priceless runs and that helped them to win. Mentions that he was a part of the winning team as a player under MS Dhoni last time at Lord's, but this one to get a result in 60 overs is quite special and especially with someone like Mohammed Siraj who was playing his first Test match here. Also shares that what happened in the field really charged them up and gave them the extra motivation. On getting good crowd support, Kohli smiles and says that it was not the same for the first four days but in the second half on Day 5, the crowd got behind them and these things are very crucial. Mentions that the victory came a day later after Independence Day but it's the best gift they can give to the people back home. Signs off by saying that they are not going to sit on their laurels. Regarding how he decides to take the DRS, Kohli answers that he likes to go with his instincts and he is ready to take the blame. Feels that if you don't take a chance, you will never know.

Joe Root, the English skipper, says that it's unfortunate that they didn't manage to see off 60 overs which is frustrating. Adds that the batters will be coming hard in the next three games. Root takes the blame and says that a lot depended on him and tactically he could have done better as a captain this morning. Mentions that he has to do a lot of learning and make sure to improve and be ready when next time a similar situation arrives. Further says that they didn't get many things wrong and only a few things went slightly wrong. Tells that Mark Wood and Moeen Ali played brilliantly, the former hurt himself but still showed the attitude to compete. Adds that it's good to have Moeen back and nice to see him enjoy his game. States that they are used to playing 5-match series and they have been in this situation before and have found a way to bounce back. Praises the crowd for their attendance and says that it's good to have the crowd back.

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As mentioned earlier, the momentum refused to stay in one corner in this Test match. Day 5 was no different. Once England removed the dangerous Rishabh Pant, they would have felt the Test was theirs for the taking. But, Shami and Bumrah, emerged as unlikely heroes with the bat and helped India to a position from where the fear of losing the Test match went out of their minds. After setting a target of 272 runs in 60 overs, the Indian bowlers turned on the heat and grabbed the series lead.

The penultimate day of this Test match turned out to be too tough for India as they lost three star batters in the morning session. With two out-of-form batsmen in the middle, we all hoped England to remove them quickly but this Test match never went in a straight line. Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane formed a century stand to lead the recovery. India started to claw their way back but just when it appeared that they will run away with a handy lead on Day 4, the English bowlers again made a comeback to get rid of both of them and Ravindra Jadeja.

The picture changed on Day 2. England bounced back with renewed energy and once again James Anderson was the centre of attraction. He led the charge with a 5-wicket haul and halted India's dominance. The touring team wasted a golden chance to bat England out of the match after losing 7 wickets for only 88 runs. The 'moving day' started with England's purposeful batting and Joe Root led them from the front. Two able partners in Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali rallied around Joe for vital partnerships and England looked set to out-bat India. But as was the case, momentum wasn't anyone's friend in this Test. The Indian bowlers seized the initiative in the final session of Day 3 and picked five wickets in a hurry to strand Joe Root (180) and restrict England's lead to only 27 runs.

England versus India, clash of the Titans! This Test series saw a massive build-up but the first Test turned out to be a damp squib mainly due to the weather. But if anyone had any doubt about the magnitude of this clash between two powerhouses of cricket, it was put to rest in the Lord's Test. We were a witness to some intense battle and captivating cricket. India got challenging conditions to bat in their first innings but the way Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul weathered the storm was simply amazing. Their opening partnership blunted England's bowling plans and another century stand between Rahul and Virat Kohli made Joe Root regret his defensive decision to bowl first on Day 1.

What a cracking finish to this outstanding Test match! Both teams fought tooth and nail and towards the end, it's India who have prevailed. England will be deeply disappointed with their batting, they had 60 overs to negotiate but the top batsmen flopped miserably. Credit to Jos Buttler though who batted against his natural instinct and consumed 96 balls during his stay. He was involved in a couple of stands with Moeen Ali and Ollie Robinson to keep England in the hunt but India managed to find a way to break those partnerships and register a big win. All their pacers were incredible but Mohammed Siraj impressed the most with his lively spells and knack of picking wickets.

The Indian players are running in celebration! Virat Kohli is pumped up. Siraj has uprooted one stump as a souvenir. What a champion bowler! 8 wickets in the match for him and he stood tall whenever his skipper needed him. India go 1-0 up in the series.

OUT! BOWLED! Siraj comes up with a beautiful delivery. He dishes it out close to off, gets it to straighten just a hint to beat Anderson's attempt to block it from the back foot. It whistles past the outside edge and tickles the off stump behind. Start the celebration!

Length ball, angling in from outside off. Anderson defends it from the crease.

PEACH! Full and just outside off. Anderson looks to block but gets beaten.

James Anderson is the last batsman.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Jos Buttler runs out of patience and has a poke at a delivery. A touch short and outside off, Jos was leaving those well until now but this time goes to feel the ball. He is flat-footed inside the crease and gets a feather to the keeper. Rishabh Pant takes a simple catch and India get rid of the big fish.

Starts with a length delivery on middle and leg, angling down, Buttler tries to flick but misses. It goes off his thigh pad to backward square leg.

Mohammed Siraj returns in the attack now.