India’s victory on 16th August (a day after independence day) at Lord’s will go down in the annals of cricket history as one of India’s most spectacular overseas victories. The complexion of the game traversed a complete spectrum in just one day from a rather skeptical morning to a resounding victory at the end.
It was a tremendous team effort with almost all players raising their game at some point in the match to tilt the scales in India’s favour. They indeed served out a tremendous recipe , leaving the English stunned and the following mouthwatering menu was orchestrated by the Indians to savour a famous victory.
KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma’s southern delicacy
Put in to bat by England, Rahul and Rohit put up a splendid partnership and blunted the English attack. This turned out to be a crucial partnership in the outcome of the match. Though Rohit just missed on a century, KL Rahul very deservingly got one. It was a performance akin to mouth watering Medu Vadas dipped in piping hot sambar. The heat no doubt affected the English.
Ravindra Jadeja and Cheteshwar Pujara and the taste of Saurashtra.
Ravindra Jadeja’s half century helped India amass a decent 364 in the First Innings and considering what happened later in the match this effort of Jadeja was huge. Pujara, under criticism, scored an invaluable 45 in the second innings when India really needed it. It was painstaking but worth all the effort in the end. Both Jadeja and Pujara, coming from Saurashtra, gave a taste of the famous Methi ka Thepla to the English.
Jasprit Bumrah and the Punjabi Lassi.
With not much of an impact in the first innings, Bumrah came alive in the second. His still to sink in 89 run partnership with Shami, took India to safety and virtually tilted the match in India’s favour. He then struck 3 crucial blows to leave the opposition gasping. Truly he took great care of the English with his over the top Punjabi Lassi.
Ajinkya Rahane, Mohd Shami and the sweet dishes
Rahane had not cooked much since coming to England and there was huge pressure on him when he went out to bat in the second innings . India was in a precarious position at 55/3 with the Indian Captain back in the hut. But the 61 which followed from Rahane’s bat helped India back into the match. This performance from the gentle Rahane was nothing short of the tasty Shrikhand.
Mohd Shami, produced a half century and forged a tremendous partnership with Jasprit Bumrah and then removed Dom Sibley in his first over. Shami an integral part of the team and a true match winner had stunned the opposition. They just didn’t know what had hit them. But for us, the moment was as sweet as the Amroha Amawat.
Siraj’s Hyderabadi Biryani – The decisive punch.
There is absolutely no doubt that Siraj’s 8 wicket haul in the match ( breaking Kapil Dev’s 39 year record for most wickets by an Indian in a test match at Lord’s) wherein he was twice on a hat-trick, delivered the decisive punch. Siraj with his boundless energy and enthusiasm, just kept up the pressure till the opposition wilted. His performance was just a superbly cooked, hot and spicy, Hyderabadi Biryani, the aroma of which had Lord’s in its grip.
Ishant Sharma’s 5 wicket haul in the match at crucial junctures and the war cries of Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant were enough to rattle the English. Eventually, all this has culminated in a great victory.
It has to be said that the Indians have a great cuisine and with 3 more Test matches left, my taste buds can hardly wait. I am expecting a big fest… what about you ??
Very well penned down 🇮🇳🇮🇳👌