India is definitely overjoyed after winning the Lord’s Test, and taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match Test series against England. However, India should be wary of complacency as they have lost series before after taking a 1-0 lead, both at home and overseas. Cricwizz takes a look.
West Indies vs India in 2002
The first Test at Georgetown ended in a dull draw with only two innings possible on five days. The second Test saw India post a memorable win at Port of Spain under the captaincy of Sourav Ganguly. India bowled out West Indies for 275 defending a target of 313 runs.
However, West Indies then produced their best batting and bowling efforts, beating India in two out of the next three Tests to take the series 2-1. West Indies defeated India by 10 wickets in the third Test at Bridgetown. The fourth Test ended in a draw but is famous for Anil Kumble bowling with a broken jaw. India lost the fifth Test by 155 runs.
South Africa vs India in 2006
India had never beaten South Africa in a Test until the 2006 tour. In the first Test at Johannesburg, a charged-up S Sreesanth took 5/40 to help India bowl out South Africa for just 80 in the first innings. South Africa could not recover from there and lost the match by 123 runs. India celebrated wildly at their maiden Test win in South Africa. The Test is also popular for Sreesanth breaking into a jig after hitting a delivery from Andre Nel for a six following a verbal duel.
The Proteas then came hard at India in the next two Tests. India squandered winning positions in both the Tests. They first lost the second Test at Durban by 174 runs, and the third Test at Cape Town by 5 wickets to lose the series 1-2.
India vs England in 2012
It was supposed to be a revenge series for India to whitewash England at home after MS Dhoni and his men were handed a 0-4 drubbing in England in 2011. India began well, winning the first Test at Ahmedabad by 9 wickets, with C Pujara slamming a match total of 247 runs without being dismissed.
However, England staged a great comeback on the back of captain Alastair Cook’s batting, and the spin duo of Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar. India was defeated in their own spin game at home as Swann and Panesar ran riots. India lost the second Test at Mumbai, with Panesar taking 11 wickets and the flamboyant Kevin Pietersen scoring a fast-paced 186 runs off 233 balls. In the third Test at Kolkata, Alastair Cook slammed 190 as England won the match by 7 wickets to take a 2-1 lead. The fourth Test ended in a draw as India lost the series 2-1.
England vs India in 2014
After the first Test was drawn, India and England went with level scores in the second Test at Lord’s. In the second Test, India produced few individual efforts to keep England at bay and take a 1-0 series lead. First, Ajinkya Rahane cracked 114, and then Ishant Sharma took 7/74 in the fourth innings to help India seal a win by 95 runs.
England then blew away India in the next three Tests, registering a win of 266 runs, an innings and 54 runs, and an innings and 244 runs. India lost the series 1-3 after taking a 1-0 series lead. This series is also known for Virat Kohli’s failure with the bat as he managed just 134 runs in 10 innings, becoming James Anderson’s bunny during the series.
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