Mohammed Siraj and ace bowler Jasprit Bumrah came up with splendid bowling efforts as India pulled off a sensational win by beating England by 151 runs at the end of Day 5 of the opening test at Lords on Monday.
Resuming at an overnight score of 181/6, India lost Rishabh Pant and Ishant Sharma early to Ollie Robinson for 22 & 16 respectively as England appeared to have gained the upper hand at the beginning of the day.
However Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah, generally no great shakes with the bat, frustrated the England bowlers and added a stunning 89 run partnership for the the ninth wicket. The hosts’ plan of spreading the field and peppering the Indian tailenders with short balls as retribution for Bumrah targetting Anderson earlier in the test backfired badly. Shami went on to register his second half-century as the visitors declared their innings at 298/8 shortly after lunch, giving the hosts a target of 272 in 60 overs.
Chasing 272, Bumrah and Shami carried on from where they had left with the ball, removing both English openers for ducks- the first such occasion in 531 home tests for England.
Rohit Sharma dropped Haseeb Hameed early on at slip but it did not prove costly as Ishant Sharma trapped him in front of the stumps for 9 as England were left reeling at 44 for 3.
Ishant struck another vital blow before tea by dismissing Jonny Bairstow leg before wicket for 2, with India successfully reviewing to overturn Michael Gough’s original decision.
England star batsman Joe Root, who had made a magnificent unbeaten 180 in the first innings, fell for 33 as he edged a
Jasprit Bumrah delivery to opposition skipper Kohli. Jos Buttler however got a reprieve when Kohli dropped him soon after denying Bumrah what would have been another wicket.
Ali and Buttler then survived 16 overs together before Mohammed Siraj dismissed the former and Sam Curran off consecutive deliveries, leaving the hosts in big trouble at 90/7.
The duo of Buttler and Robinson kept the visitors at bay with a solid 30 run stand for the eight wicket before the latter fell leg before wicket to Bumrah.
Siraj got Buttler to edge one to Pant and then cleaned up Anderson as England were bowled out for 120, giving India a resounding 151 run win.
KL Rahul was declared the Man of the Match. The third test will be played at Headingley, Leeds on 25th August.