India now trail the five-match series 2-0 against England
A ruthless England side dominated and demolished a perplexed Indian team, defeating the Virat Kohli led side by an innings and 159 runs on Day 4 of the 2nd Test at Lord's. Within three days (first day being washed out due to rain), England were able to conclude matters on the fourth day itself with the help of James Anderson and Stuart Broad. (IND vs ENG 2nd Test Day 4 Match Highlights)
As England celebrated their win at Lord's, a dejected Indian team skipper Virat Kohli stated that they were 'outplayed' and deserved to win with the way they played.
"Not very proud of the way we played to be honest. First time in last five Test matches we've been outplayed. Credit to England. They were clinical. When a team plays like that they deserve to be on the winning side," said Kohli in the post-match presentation.
England, who resumed at overnight 356 for six, declared their first innings at 396 for seven earlier on Sunday with Chris Woakes staying unbeaten on 137. (IND vs ENG 2nd Test Day 4 Match Scorecard)
The Indian batsmen let the team down also in the first Test but the away side at least put up a fight. Here at the 'Home of Cricket', the Kohli-led unit showed no semblance of a fight, bringing back the haunted memories of the previous series in 2014 and 2011.
READ: ANDERSON, BROAD AND WOAKES STAR AT LORD'S
The Indian captain said that the bowlers were 'relentless'. The Indian batsmen failed to learn from their mistakes and were all at sea against the moving ball as the second innings folded up for 130 in 47 overs. Anderson (4-23) once again toyed with the opposition, taking his match tally to nine, and equally effective was Broad (4-44).
"Can't really think about those things (conditions not in favour). You have to counter the conditions as and when they come to you. Can't crib about these things. Sometimes the rub of the green will go your way too. Won't sit around and say that we didn't have the best of conditions. Their bowlers were relentless with the ball. Looking at things now, the weather was so unpredictable, I think we got the combination a bit off before the game. Chance to correct that in next game. Five days to go, should be okay.
The crushing loss has given the Indian team management plenty to think about ahead of the third Test beginning August 18 at Nottingham. The opening day was washed out here and even today time was lost due to intermittent rain, but England still comfortably got the result they wanted with a day to spare.
Earlier, Kohli batted with a lower back pain but is confident of regaining his full fitness ahead of the next match. The Indian skipper did not field during England's innings due to the problem.
Kohli received treatment during the match while batting
Kohli could score just 17 from 29 deliveries before becoming Stuart Board's victim in the second innings which folded for 130 in 47 overs.
"Lower back issue coming up again and again, purely because of the workload. Confident I'll be fine in five days time," concluded Kohli.
England now lead the five-match rubber 2-0 and will look forward to wrap up matters in Nottingham. For the visitors, the batsmen and bowlers have plenty to improve upon and it would also be quite interesting to see the playing XI for the 3rd Test after the performance at Lord's.
(With PTI Inputs)
