It's been sweet comeuppance for the Indian team at Lord's this time around.
After what was a terrible tour in 2011, this younger, new-look Team India has done pretty well in both the Tests that have been played so far in this series.
While Trent Bridge would rightly not qualify to be up there in the league of the toughest 'away' matches that India would have ever played (due to the placid, benign pitch on offer), what really made everyone stand up and take notice was our performance at Lord's.
After losing what was a very crucial toss, and being inserted to bat by England on a green top, the Indians would have the odds stacked against them.
Despite that, the team played splendid cricket at all levels in the game, to emerge deserving winners at the end of Day 5.
Just a few notes about our victory at Lord's:
Murali Vijay - disciplined, focused and absolutely watertight in his defence and leaving the balls that are best left alone.
Cheteshwar Pujara - lovely application, great temperament and a classy, patient innings.
Ajinkya Rahane - with the classy hundred he scored
Ishant Sharma - bowling the way he most often should - more than the second innings, I liked him a lot the way he bowled in the first innings...no trash deliveries, pitched-up, wonderful line and length - maintained consistently.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar - superb batting and bowling
Ravindra Jadeja - great counterattack and disciplined bowling
Wait, we still have Dhawan, Kohli and Dhoni who are due anytime now.
Plus, I am betting on Ashwin to come good and be effective in his next outing (and there's even a certain Gautam Gambhir waiting in the wings - talk of bench strength!).
Shami needs to just stop drifting down leg side so consistently and rediscover his control and accuracy.
Dhoni could still be more proactive the way he was in the second innings and not like his captaincy at the fag end of England's first innings.
All said and done, given the form and fitness our team is in, this series is a golden opportunity to obliterate all the unpleasant memories of the past, and ensure a series win in England, finally!!
After what was a terrible tour in 2011, this younger, new-look Team India has done pretty well in both the Tests that have been played so far in this series.
While Trent Bridge would rightly not qualify to be up there in the league of the toughest 'away' matches that India would have ever played (due to the placid, benign pitch on offer), what really made everyone stand up and take notice was our performance at Lord's.
After losing what was a very crucial toss, and being inserted to bat by England on a green top, the Indians would have the odds stacked against them.
Despite that, the team played splendid cricket at all levels in the game, to emerge deserving winners at the end of Day 5.
Just a few notes about our victory at Lord's:
Murali Vijay - disciplined, focused and absolutely watertight in his defence and leaving the balls that are best left alone.
Cheteshwar Pujara - lovely application, great temperament and a classy, patient innings.
Ajinkya Rahane - with the classy hundred he scored
Ishant Sharma - bowling the way he most often should - more than the second innings, I liked him a lot the way he bowled in the first innings...no trash deliveries, pitched-up, wonderful line and length - maintained consistently.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar - superb batting and bowling
Ravindra Jadeja - great counterattack and disciplined bowling
Wait, we still have Dhawan, Kohli and Dhoni who are due anytime now.
Plus, I am betting on Ashwin to come good and be effective in his next outing (and there's even a certain Gautam Gambhir waiting in the wings - talk of bench strength!).
Shami needs to just stop drifting down leg side so consistently and rediscover his control and accuracy.
Dhoni could still be more proactive the way he was in the second innings and not like his captaincy at the fag end of England's first innings.
All said and done, given the form and fitness our team is in, this series is a golden opportunity to obliterate all the unpleasant memories of the past, and ensure a series win in England, finally!!
