On this day in 1986: India register their first Test win at Lord’s
Today’s date (10th June) has a special significance in the history of Indian cricket. This is the day when the Indian team won a Test match for the first time at the Lord’s ground. On 10th June 1986, the Indian team under the leadership of Kapil Dev scripted history by defeating England by 5 wickets. Lord’s is called the Mecca of cricket and winning there is a special feeling. The Indian team got this victory in their 11th attempt at Lord’s.
Winning the first Test of the series
When the Indian team went on the tour of England in 1986, no one had thought that such an unexpected event would take place in the first Test match of the three-match series. In this match, the English team scored 294 runs in the first innings. In response, the Indian team ended its first innings on 341 runs, after which England were reduced to 180 runs in the second innings.
Captain Kapil Dev led the team to the victory
In such a situation, India had a great chance to win the match. In the fourth innings, India achieved the target of 134 runs at the loss of five wickets and created history. Chasing a modest target of 134 runs, India at one point lost their four wickets for 78 runs and five wickets for 110 runs. After this, captain Kapil Dev led India to victory by playing a quickfire knock of 23 not out off 10 balls. Apart from four fours, he hit the winning six off left-arm spinner Phil Edmonds.
Historic innings of Dilip Vengsarkar
Kapil Dev was the ‘Man of the Match’ in this game. He played an important role (4 wickets) in dismissing England for 180 runs in the second innings. But the real hero of India’s victory was Dilip Vengsarkar, who scored an unbeaten 126 in India’s first innings. With this, he became the first cricketer to score a century in three consecutive Test matches at Lord’s. He scored 103 in 1979, 157 in 1982 and 126* in 1986.
First victory at Lord’s after 54 years
This victory for India at Lord’s was also special because India had won in its 11th attempt at this historic ground. It is interesting to know that the journey of India’s Test matches also started at Lord’s. In 1932, the team lost its first Test by 158 runs.
As far as India’s record at Lord’s is concerned, the team has played 18 Test matches at this ground so far, and won only two matches. India registered their second win at Lord’s in July 2014 when they defeated England by 95 runs under MS Dhoni’s leadership.
