Bumrah Five-For Sets Lord’s Alight on a Dramatic Day 2
Jasprit Bumrah delivered a masterclass in fast bowling on Day 2 of the IND vs ENG 3rd Test at Lord’s, claiming a crucial five-wicket haul and stamping his name on the hallowed honours board. It was a performance worthy of the occasion — a red-for-Ruth day dedicated to former England captain Andrew Strauss’s late wife Ruth — and Bumrah ensured the cricket matched the emotion.
Archer’s Dream Return to Test Cricket
Just as electrifying was the sight of Jofra Archer returning to Test cricket after three years of injury setbacks. Archer, who had dreamed of this day while battling through rehab, made an immediate impact. In only his third delivery, he dislodged Yashasvi Jaiswal with a brutal 89 mph delivery. Moments later, Karun Nair was greeted with a 93 mph thunderbolt. Lord’s roared with every step he took.
Root Reaches 37th Test Century in Style
Before India took the field, Joe Root, who had ended Day 1 on 99*, calmly nudged the first ball of the day to third man for four. It was his 37th Test century, propelling him into the top five Test centurions of all time, overtaking Rahul Dravid and Steve Smith. His celebration was modest — as expected from Root — but the significance of his landmark wasn’t lost on the Lord’s crowd.
Red for Ruth Day and a Moving Atmosphere
The day also marked “Red for Ruth” day at Lord’s — where players and spectators dressed in red to support the Ruth Strauss Foundation. The vibrant setting added a layer of poignancy to the intense on-field action.
India’s Bowlers Trigger England Collapse
England, who were once comfortably placed at 271/7, ended up at 387 thanks to a resilient lower-order effort, but the Bumrah-led Indian bowling attack ensured it didn’t go too far out of hand. Bumrah’s 5/63 dismantled the middle order, including crucial wickets of Ben Stokes and Root himself.
Mohammed Siraj chipped in by removing Jamie Smith, who had earlier rescued England from deeper trouble with a gritty 50. Nitish Kumar Reddy, the star of Day 1, didn’t add to his tally but was sharp in the field and accurate with his spells.
KL Rahul Stands Tall for India
India’s reply was shaky early on. Jofra Archer’s hostile pace had Jaiswal walking back for a low score, and Gill’s hot form cooled off as he was dismissed for just 16. But KL Rahul stood tall amidst the chaos. His unbeaten 53 (113 balls) at stumps was a statement of technique and patience. Facing Archer’s pace, Stokes’s swing, and Wood’s bounce, Rahul absorbed pressure brilliantly.
He was watchful outside off-stump and aggressive when England strayed straight. His footwork against spin was precise, and his handling of Archer’s 142 kph bouncer — despite losing balance — was commendable.
Rishabh Pant Battles Injury, Nair Falls Short
Rishabh Pant showed resilience, batting through discomfort after sustaining a niggle while running. Karun Nair, recalled to the Test side, looked promising but threw away a start, falling ten short of a half-century. His dismissal was a blow as India hoped for a strong middle-order partnership.
England’s Smart Tactics Against Gill
England’s bowlers had a specific plan for Shubman Gill — a leg-side trap with short balls and close-in fielders. It worked. Frustrated by the setup, Gill backed away and tried to cut a leg-side bouncer but found the edge. Chris Woakes, with the keeper up to the stumps, executed the plan perfectly.
Bumrah’s Name Goes Up on the Board
For Bumrah, who was rested in the previous Test specifically for this, the five-wicket haul at Lord’s was more than just another stat. It was about legacy. He now surpasses Kapil Dev for the most five-wicket hauls outside India by an Indian bowler. His partner Siraj lifted Bumrah’s hand in celebration as the Indian contingent at Lord’s erupted.
India Trails by 242, Rahul Holds the Key
At stumps, India were 145/4, still trailing by 242 runs. But with KL Rahul at the crease, and Rishabh Pant alongside him, India’s hope of drawing closer to England’s first innings total remains alive.
Day of Mixed Fortunes
Only 72.3 overs were possible on Day 2, but it offered everything — pace, swing, resilience, celebration, and a strong emotional backdrop. While England held the scoreboard advantage, India had the psychological upper hand with Bumrah’s brilliance and Rahul’s composure.
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