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Kolkata Knight Riders

about a year ago

Lord's has always something memorable to offer to cricket! Monday, August 16th, will go down history as one more day when Test cricket saw some dramatic batting and bowling where India emerged on right side of things with a 151-run win over England in the second Test. The ambience at the stadium made us feel as if we were celebrating a belated Independence Day at the Home of Cricket!

Chasing 272 for a win in 60 overs, England crumbled like a cookie under pressure, courtesy of some immaculate bowling from the India pacers. Md Siraj was the star of the bowling innings with a four-fer (4/32). Jasprit Bumrah (3-33) and Ishant Sharma (2-13) also got crucial breakthroughs at important junctures to turn the fortunes India's way. The biggest blow for England came when last-inning centurion, skipper Joe Root departed for 33 runs, courtesy of some breathtaking bowling from Bumrah.

The Indian bowlers were on top from the very beginning. They stuck to the basics and kept nagging the English batters with a probing line and length. The occasional unexpected bounce and a little bit of movement did help them get quite a few edges. But it wasn't until Md Siraj's twin strike in consecutive deliveries to send Sam Curran and Moeen Ali off the field that India could smell serious chances of wrapping up a win. 

There was a lot of resistance from Ollie Robinson for the 8th wicket but Jasprit Bumrah unsettled him in a comeback spell with a slower one that caught him plumb in front of the wicket. Even though the field umpire didn't rule in favour of India, a timely review from Virat Kohli saw Robinson back in the hut. Md Siraj returned to remove Jos Buttler next. Kohli had dropped him for just 2 runs and it looked like the miss was going to cost India dear but Siraj's efforts put India on course for a surreal win. 

Earlier, India rode on a brilliant 9th-wicket stand between Md Shami and Jasprit Bumrah that propelled the visitors to 298-8 (decl) in the second innings. Both Shami and Bumrah were exceptional with the bat, playing under pressure, especially after Rishabh Pant's dismissal on 22. The southpaw looked to take on the English bowlers but fell soon to an edge off Robinson.

Shami's 56 came off just 70 balls which goes on to show the aggression he was oozing. He, in fact completed his second Test fifty with a six off Moeen Ali! Bumrah who got knocked on his helmet by James Anderson's rising delivery once, appeared unperturbed as he stuck around with a 64-ball 34* to take India to safety from an uncomfortable position. The duo stitched an 89*-run partnership off just 120 balls to turn the tables on England after India were tottering at 209-8 at one point.

India, with a 1-0 lead in the five match series, will now play England in the third Test from August 25th.