From Vengsarkar’s elegance in 1986 to Siraj’s fire in 2021, India’s victories at Lord’s weren’t just results — they were statements
Lord's, the grand old amphitheatre of cricket, stood like a fortress for England for over half a century whenever India walked through its historic pavilion. From the inaugural 1932 Test, when CK Nayudu's side fell short, to the heartbreaks of the '60s and '70s, India had to wait until 1986 to achieve its first win there.
But when India did break through, they didn't just sneak in. They arrived with authority, and over time, they have dismantled England three times at their own citadel. In the midst of the 2025 series, with the third Test about to unfold at this very venue, it's time to revisit India's three iconic Test victories at Lord's.
In India's first victory at Lord's, Dilip Vengsarkar created a masterpiece. Batting at No. 3 in the first innings, he remained not out on 126, absorbing pressure and neutralising England's bowling on a slightly two-paced pitch. India responded with a solid 341, as England had scored 294 in the first innings.
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Kapil Dev, ever the man for the big occasion, delivered with 4/52 in the second innings to restrict England to 180. He then came in during a tense chase of 134, smashed an unbeaten 23, and secured a five-wicket victory.
This win wasn't just about runs or wickets — it was about validation, finally being recognised as equals on England's most hallowed ground.
At a time when India's overseas Test victories were still rare, the 2014 Test match at Lord's became the turning point. After setting a fourth innings target of 319, India needed something extraordinary.
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Ishant Sharma produced a spell that remains legendary. With England progressing at 173/4, Dhoni handed him the ball with a simple instruction: go short. And Ishant responded — 7/74 later, England had fallen to 223 all out.
This was India's first Test win in England since 2007, and it didn't come from a textbook line-and-length. It came from bold, aggressive, relentless energy.
This was more than a Test match. It was a battle of wills, and India emerged victorious with grit and fury. After KL Rahul's elegant 129 and Rohit Sharma's fluent 83 set up a formidable first innings of 364, England responded with 391, largely thanks to Joe Root's valiant 180*.
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In the second innings, India appeared in trouble at 209/8, but then came the unexpected—Mohammed Shami (56) and Jasprit Bumrah (34) stitched a 77-run stand that not only extended the lead but also infuriated England.
The final day saw Siraj (4/32) and Bumrah (3/33) turn the tide, dismissing England for 120. India won by 151 runs, and the celebrations on the Lord's balcony were thunderous — well deserved.
From outsiders to enforcers at the home of cricket
The Lord's hasn't always been kind to India — 12 losses in 19 Tests tell that story. But when India has won here, they have done so with purpose.
Whether it was Vengsarkar's calm, Ishant's fire, or Bumrah's defiance with the bat, these victories were not just upsets — they were uprisings.
