17 July 2014, New Delhi : When the Indian team takes on England in the second Test at the Lord’s Cricket ground, it will be a dream come true for many Indian youngsters, who for the first time would be playing a Test at this historic ground also best described as the “Home of Cricket”. When a youngster starts his cricket career, he always daydreams of playing an inning of his lifetime at a ground which has decades of history, has spectators who truly understand the game and appreciate his performance generously, and Lord’s is one of those cricket grounds which does that impeccably.
I have been lucky enough to visit Lord’s after my retirement and whenever I go there I am thrilled to see my 5-wickets scalp from the 1986 Test mentioned at the Lord’s Honours Boards in the Lord’s Pavilion along with the name of cricketers who have either taken five wickets or have scored a century there. It is that eternal joy which can’t be best described in words that motivates a cricketer to give his best at this lovely and historic ground.
Right from the ground facilities, dressing room, the players’ gallery, or the MCC museum which treasures the game’s history, a cricketer feels special and privileged to be a part of this sport when he plays at Lord’s and it would be the same feeling which will push the young Team India to give their best at this ground.
Talking about the Lord’s pitch, it has a bit of slope which if best utilized by a bowler can deceive a batsman and can also help him in getting something extra out of the wicket. I still remember during the 1986 Test, how I was going for runs when I was bowling from the pavilion end and as soon as my coach Late Desh Prem Azad ji suggested me to change my end, I was able to generate swing which was earlier missing when bowling from the other end. So, the captain has to ensure that he keeps an eye on his bowlers and doesn’t hesitate in rotating the ends for them.
Last time when India played here in the Test, Praveen Kumar took five wickets as he made use of the conditions well and channelized the slope at the wicket in his bowling to great effect. The same has to be done by Bhuvneshwar Kumar who has a similar style of bowling and knows the art of swinging the ball both ways. I won’t be surprised if he again comes up with a five wicket haul in this match as conditions over here would suit his game.
The pitch at Lord’s usually has a tinge of grass on it which will help the fast bowlers and I believe MS Dhoni should retain the same team and give Stuart Binny another chance instead of R Ashwin.
