India's Historic Test Journey at Lord's Cricket Ground
A Glimpse into India's Test Legacy at Lord's
Lord's Cricket Ground in London, often referred to as the "Home of Cricket," holds significant historical value for Indian cricket. It was here that India played its first Test match in England back in 1932, led by captain CK Nayudu. However, it took a long 54 years for India to achieve its inaugural Test victory at this iconic venue.
This landmark win occurred in 1986 under the captaincy of Kapil Dev, featuring a memorable performance by Chetan Sharma, who took five wickets, and a brilliant century from Dilip Vengsarkar, leading India to a remarkable victory.
India's Test Match Statistics at Lord's
India has contested 19 Tests at Lord's, securing 3 victories, suffering 13 losses, and drawing 3 matches. While the overall record may not be impressive, recent performances indicate a positive trend. In their last five Tests at this ground, India has won two, drawn one, and lost two, showcasing their growing strength in English conditions.
Notable Test Performances by India at Lord's
Match-Wise Record of India at Lord's in Tests
| Vs | Start Date | Result | 1st Inns | 2nd Inns |
| England | 25 Jun 1932 | Lost | 189 | 187 |
| England | 27 Jun 1936 | Lost | 147 | 93 |
| England | 22 Jun 1946 | Lost | 200 | 275 |
| England | 19 Jun 1952 | Lost | 235 | 378 |
| England | 18 Jun 1959 | Lost | 168 | 165 |
| England | 22 Jun 1967 | Lost | 152 | 110 |
| England | 22 Jul 1971 | Draw | 313 | 145/8 |
| England | 20 Jun 1974 | Lost | 302 | 42 |
| England | 2 Aug 1979 | Draw | 96 | 318/4 |
| England | 10 Jun 1982 | Lost | 128 | 369 |
| England | 5 Jun 1986 | Won | 341 | 136/5 |
| England | 26 Jul 1990 | Lost | 454 | 224 |
| England | 20 Jun 1996 | Draw | 429 | – |
| England | 25 Jul 2002 | Lost | 221 | 397 |
| England | 19 Jul 2007 | Draw | 201 | 282/9 |
| England | 21 Jul 2011 | Lost | 286 | 261 |
| England | 17 Jul 2014 | Won | 295 | 342 |
| England | 9 Aug 2018 | Lost | 107 | 130 |
| England | 12 Aug 2021 | Won | 364 | 298/8d |
Top Indian Run Scorers at Lord's
Dilip Vengsarkar stands out as the highest run-scorer for India at Lord's, amassing 508 runs at an impressive average of 72.57, which includes three centuries and one half-century.
| Player Name | Innings | Runs | Average | 100s | 50s |
| Dilip Vengsarkar | 8 | 508 | 72.57 | 3 | 1 |
| Rahul Dravid | 7 | 354 | 59.00 | 1 | 2 |
| Sunil Gavaskar | 10 | 340 | 34.00 | 0 | 2 |
| Vinoo Mankad | 4 | 333 | 83.25 | 1 | 2 |
| Gundappa Viswanath | 8 | 272 | 34.00 | 1 | 2 |
Remarkable Batting Achievements
Vinoo Mankad's remarkable innings of 184 in 1952 remains one of the finest performances by an Indian at this venue.
| Player Name | HS |
| Vinoo Mankad | 184 |
| Dilip Vengsarkar | 157 |
| Sourav Ganguly | 131 |
| KL Rahul | 129 |
| Mohammed Azharuddin | 121 |
Leading Wicket-Takers for India at Lord's
Bishan Bedi, the legendary Indian spinner, has taken 17 wickets at Lord's, matching the tally of Kapil Dev and Ishant Sharma, who achieved this in just 7 innings, while Bedi accomplished it in 5 innings.
| Player Name | Innings | Wickets | BBI | BBM | 5w |
| Bishan Singh Bedi | 5 | 17 | 6/226 | 6/111 | 1 |
| Kapil Dev | 7 | 17 | 5/125 | 8/168 | 1 |
| Ishant Sharma | 7 | 17 | 7/74 | 7/135 | 1 |
| Anil Kumble | 6 | 12 | 3/84 | 6/212 | 0 |
| Zaheer Khan | 5 | 11 | 4/79 | 6/141 | 0 |
Memorable Bowling Performances
Ishant Sharma's exceptional bowling figure of 7/74 in 2014 was pivotal in securing India's victory at Lord's after a long wait of 28 years.
| Player Name | HS |
| Ishant Sharma | 7/74 |
| Lala Amar Singh | 6/35 |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 6/82 |
| Bishan Singh Bedi | 6/226 |
| RP Singh | 5/59 |
Highest Innings Total and Lowest Team Total
India's highest innings total at Lord's was 458/8 declared against England in 2002, a match characterized by a stellar batting display from Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly.
| Team | Score | Overs | Innings | Result | Match Date |
| India | 454 | 114.1 | 2 | Lost | 26 Jul 1990 |
| India | 429 | 169.3 | 2 | Draw | 20 Jun 1996 |
| India | 397 | 109.4 | 4 | Lost | 25 Jul 2002 |
| India | 378 | 122.0 | 3 | Lost | 19 Jun 1952 |
Conversely, India's lowest total at this venue was a mere 42 all out against England in 1974, marking one of the most challenging moments in their Test cricket history.
Looking Ahead
In 2021, KL Rahul's century reaffirmed India's capability to perform at Lord's, demonstrating the current team's potential to shine on such a prestigious stage.
As England prepares to host India for the third Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy on July 10, 2025, cricket fans eagerly anticipate another memorable performance at this historic ground.