England defeated India by an innings and 159 runs to win the second Test at Lord’s and take a 2-0 lead in the series.
It was a brilliant all-round effort from England and a shoddy effort from the No1 Test team in the world.
Here we rate players from both sides after the hosts’ thumping win.
ENGLAND RATINGS
Joe Root – 6
The captain did everything he was supposed to. He won the toss and bowled first in perfect seaming conditions. Root picked an extra seamer in Chris Woakes and resisted the temptation of fielding an extra spinner. He wasn’t at his best with the bat but admittedly got out to an unplayable ball. A good match. Did drop one catch in slip through.
Alastair Cook – 5
Scored 21 from 25 balls before getting a beauty from Ishant Sharma. Was safe in the field as well. Did not get another chance to get among the runs but looks like getting the confidence in his overall game back and should make an impact in upcoming Tests.
Keaton Jennings – 4
Did not have much to do in the Test. Made 11 runs and took one catch. But being part of such a thumping win will help Jennings assert himself in the next Test as he looked in fine touch in the first. The Indian bowlers must be deflated and Jennings can cash in.
Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes are reflections of a genuine allrounder. Where does Hardik Pandya figure in all this? #IndVEng
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) August 11, 2018
Ollie Pope – 6
Looked in control as long as he was at the crease during 28 on debut. Looked at ease at the highest level and even managed to run Cheteshwar Pujara out in the first innings, followed by a fine diving catch at short leg of Virat Kohli in the second. A memorable debut.
Jonny Bairstow – 8
The keeper has looked the most dominating batsman on either side. His stance is oozing confidence and his 93 in the first innings when England were 131-5, along with his 70 in Birmingham, have been critical in helping England gain the upper hand. Arguably the most important cog of the hosts’ wheel.
Jos Buttler – 5
Would have had one more point but dropped two chances in the first innings. His batting (24 from 22 balls) looked a bit too forced in the first innings, which means he is not yet settled in his mind. But he is too good a player to not figure things out by the next Test.
Chris Woakes – 9
Four wickets in the Test – including Kohli in the first innings – followed by a match-winning unbeaten ton when the team is down. And that too at the Home of Cricket while coming in for the unavailable Ben Stokes. Talk about making a statement. Brilliant effort all round.
Sam Curran – 6
Did well with the bat once again, scoring 40 runs. With the ball, moved the red cherry in both innings and was unlucky to not bag a handful of wickets. The Indians started to play him with a bit more freedom, however, which can become an issue.
Adil Rashid – n/a
Did not bowl a single ball and did not get to bat.
Stuart Broad – 8
Looked absolutely deadly in the second innings. Troubled Kohli no end and the Indian batsmen could barely get bat to ball. Silenced his critics who thought he might get dropped if Stokes gets a chance to return to the team. Four wickets in the second innings could have been a lot more.
James Anderson – 9
Nine top class wickets in the Test for one of the all-time greats. Made every ball pose serious questions as Indian batsmen surrendered even before the ball left his fingers. Showed immaculate control of swing and line to come up with a match-winning effort in both innings.
INDIA RATINGS
Murali Vijay – 1
Bagged a pair at Lord’s. Anderson got him in both innings but the Indian opener should have come up with something different. Overcoming challenges is what Test cricket is all about and Vijay had no answers to Anderson’s swing.
KL Rahul – 1
Looks very loose against the moving ball even though on paper looks well-organised. Has the tendency to fall over or reach out to deliveries – a strict no-no in English conditions. Will have to come up with a radically different strategy, if he gets another chance.
Cheteshwar Pujara – 4
Was run out by Kohli in the first innings and survived 87 balls in the second innings. But once again, not much in the results section. Pujara puts in a lot of effort for not much runs, but it was that sort of a test where even a century by him might not have been enough.
Virat Kohli – 4
Would have received lesser points but battled back pain to bat in the second innings, showing courage. Made a poor selection decision by picking Kuldeep Yadav, ran Pujara out, got his own review wrong despite getting a glove to Broad and scored 23 and 17. An ordinary match.
Ajinkya Rahane – 3
Got starts in both innings. But his habit of fishing outside off stump is a major flaw and can’t be overlooked for long. Needs to deliver now or India might be tempted to field the next crop of batsmen.
Hardik Pandya – 5
Again reached double digits in both innings and picked up three wickets. His performance is nowhere near as effective as that of Stokes or Woakes but can’t fault him for not trying hard enough. However, far from Test-winning quality.
Dinesh Karthik – 2
The wicketkeeper looked absolutely clueless against the moving ball and struggled to gather the ball cleanly. Gave 11 byes in England’s innings. Wriddhiman Saha was sorely missed by India. Made one and a first-ball duck.
Ravi Ashwin – 5
Tried everything he could and batted with a lot of surety. Top scorer for India in both innings with 29 and 33 not out. Should earn a promotion in the batting order. Bowling has looked reliable with the flight and loop still there.
Kuldeep Yadav – 1
Two ducks and nine ineffective and wicketless overs. Even Kuldeep must be wondering what was he doing in the Indian team. Looked completely out of place and it was a mistake to field him in the Test.
Mohammed Shami – 6
Tried his best with the ball. Took three wickets and had created an opening in the first innings when he had England five down. But leaked runs at four an over and that isn’t good if you are a Test fast bowler.
Ishant Sharma – 4
Looked threatening but once again erred in lengths as numerous balls went over the stumps or hit the batsmen too high to get an lbw decision. There was enough juice in the pitch to help Ishant but he could only manage one scalp at over four an over.
