India Break 28-Year Test Win Drought with Ishant Sharma as Hero

India achieved a historic victory at Lord’s on July 21, 2014, ending their 28-year wait for a Test win at the iconic venue. Led by MS Dhoni, India defeated England by 95 runs in a thrilling contest that saw Ishant Sharma produce a career-best performance with the ball.

Rahane’s rescue act

The match began with India opting to bat first on a green pitch that offered plenty of assistance to the seamers. India soon found themselves in trouble at 145/7, with only Ajinkya Rahane showing some resistance. The future Test vice-captain played a masterful innings of 103 off 154 balls, with some valuable support from the tail. He counter-attacked the England bowlers with some exquisite shots and lifted India to a respectable total of 295.

Ballance and Bhuvi shine

England responded strongly with Gary Ballance scoring a century and Liam Plunkett contributing a quick-fire fifty. England took a slender lead of 24 runs after being bowled out for 319. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the pick of the Indian bowlers, swinging the ball both ways and taking six wickets for 82 runs.

Vijay and Jadeja set up target

In the second innings, India showed more application and determination with the bat. Murali Vijay anchored the innings with a solid knock of 95, while Cheteshwar Pujara chipped in with 43. India were still in a precarious position at 235/7, when Ravindra Jadeja and Bhuvneshwar Kumar joined forces for a crucial partnership. The duo added 99 runs for the eighth wicket, with Jadeja playing an aggressive innings of 68 and Kumar scoring his second fifty of the match. India set England a challenging target of 319 to win.

Ishant’s spell of a lifetime

England started their chase confidently, with Alastair Cook and Sam Robson putting on 70 runs for the first wicket. However, once Cook fell for 22, England lost wickets at regular intervals. Ishant Sharma was the wrecker-in-chief, bowling a hostile spell of short-pitched deliveries that rattled the England batsmen. He dismissed Robson, Ian Bell, Moeen Ali, Matt Prior, Ben Stokes and Joe Root in quick succession, leaving England reeling at 201/9. Stuart Broad and James Anderson tried to delay the inevitable, but Ishant returned to finish off the match by trapping Anderson lbw for his seventh wicket.

India celebrated their first Test win at Lord’s since 1986 and their first overseas Test win in more than three years. Ishant Sharma was adjudged the player of the match for his career-best figures of 7/74. It was a memorable moment for Indian cricket fans, who witnessed their team overcome all odds and script history at the home of cricket.

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