London: The last time India played England in a Test match at Lord’s in 2014, it was a happy hunting ground for MS Dhoni’s men as they clinched the country’s first win at the home of cricket in 28 years.
Four years on, current captain Virat Kohli has an opportunity to achieve the same feat as Dhoni did as India take on England in the all-important second Test.
On the contrary, it has been a forgettable ground for England against Asian teams, having tasted victory against India at Lord’s in 2011.
They have gone onto lose three Tests and managed to draw a couple of matches against Asian teams at the historic ground since then.
Another interesting fact about the previous Test in Edgbaston is that an Asian team is yet to beat the hosts at the venue in Birmingham. The first Test was a thriller which ended as a nightmare for Kohli’s team as Joe Root’s men were too strong for India as they completed a 31-run win.
Only four Tests between an Asian team and England have ended in draws. Apart from the draws, Birmingham has been a happy venue for England, with the hosts having been victorious in the matches that have not ended as draws.
The yet-to-start Lord's Test will be another test of skills, as India will hope to avoid losing early wickets in terms of their batting.
In the Edgbaston Test, it was mostly a one-man show as the 29-year-old Kohli scored 200 runs out of India's 436 in the two innings combined.
Will it be another one-man show or will the Indian batsmen put up an improved performance?
