Credit: ICC
On July 17, 2014, Ajinkya Rahane scripted history as he became the ninth Team India batter to score a Test century at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground. At the toss, England captain Alastair Cook emerged victorious against his counterpart MS Dhoni and elected to field first. On the first day of the Test, India lost three quick wickets under 100 runs but Rahane stood at the crease and confronted England’s bowling attack valiantly. India kept on losing wickets in quick succession but the right-handed batter didn't lose hope and built a crucial 90-run partnership with Bhuvneshwar Kumar for the eighth wicket.
Bhuvneshwar fell against Stuart Broad after scoring 36 off 84 but Rahane’s effort took India to a score of 295. Rahane went on to score his second Test ton and the maiden one at Lord’s. His knock concluded after scoring 103 off 154. In his fine innings, he accumulated 66 runs through 16 boundaries (15 fours and a maximum).
Rahane’s effort helped India bag a 95-run win
India beat England by 95 runs in the game and recorded their first Test match success at the iconic ground after 28 years. Ishant Sharma produced a fiery spell in the second innings and registered 7/74 figures. In the second innings, England were tasked to chase 319 runs but the home side got bundled out on 223.
Ishant decimated England’s batting attack and also became the recipient of the Player of the Match (POTM) award. Earlier, in the second innings, opener Murali Vijay also shone with his bat and scored 95. However, it was Rahane who stepped up in the crunch situation and played a majestic knock to help India remain alive in the contest. Rahane can be called the unsung hero of the famous triumph as Ishant’s spell received more popularity than Rahane’s ton.
