From Amar Singh’s 1936 artistry to Ishant’s bouncer barrage in 2014, these were the days India punched back hard at Lord’s
They say Lord's honours patience, rewards discipline, and remembers those who fight uphill. For Indian bowlers, earning respect at the "Home of Cricket" has not been easy. Out of the 19 Test matches India has played at this revered venue, they have only won three. Yet, in those victories and some close calls, India's bowlers have occasionally made a loud and lasting impact.
As India prepares for the third Test of the 2025 series at Lord's starting 10 July, let's reflect on the five greatest Indian bowling spells ever delivered at this ground.
7/74 – 2nd innings
India won by 95 runs
You can't mention Indian pace dominance at Lord's without paying homage to Ishant Sharma's spell in 2014. With England chasing 319 on Day 5, Ishant dismissively bounced them out, quite literally. Ball after ball kissed the pitch and threatened their throats. England folded for 223, losing 6 wickets in just 90 minutes after lunch.
Credit: ESPN
It wasn't solely pace. It was controlled hostility, and it earned India a rare overseas victory. Ishant's spell was remarkable not just for its wickets, but for its timing and tone — bold, aggressive, and unapologetic.
6/35 – 1st innings
India lost by 9 wickets
Long before India established itself in world cricket, Amar Singh faced the English on their home turf. His 6/35 in the first innings at Lord's in 1936 was a masterclass in seam bowling.
Although India lost the match, Amar's display remains one of the earliest examples of an Indian bowler dominating in England. On a green pitch, he swung the ball both ways and dismissed England for 134. If only India's batting had held firm, this spell might have written history decades earlier.
6/82 – 1st innings
India won by 95 runs
Bhuvneshwar Kumar doesn't roar. He whispers through his wrist. In the same Test where Ishant stormed through the second innings, Bhuvi laid the groundwork in the first.
Credit: ESPN
With 6/82 off 31 overs, he moved the ball late and made seasoned English batters look ordinary. His precision and patience helped India restrict England to 319, matching India's 295 and maintaining the match on even footing. It was a Test India built on grit, swing, and rhythm.
6/226 – 1st innings
India lost by an innings and 285 runs
A spell that spans 64.2 overs tells a story of endurance. Bishan Bedi, the left-arm magician, toiled as England amassed 629 runs in the 1974 Lord's Test. His 6 wickets were a solitary beacon in a match otherwise dominated by England.
Credit: BBC
Even in defeat, Bedi's ability to deceive in the air and extract bounce from a dead surface demonstrated the craft of spin at a venue known for seam. His spell is still remembered for courage, craft, and calmness.
5/59 – 2nd innings
Match drawn
RP Singh was never India's most celebrated pacer. But in 2007, with the match on the line, he rose to the occasion. England had set a target of 380 after making 298 and 282. India was down and almost out.
Credit: ESPN
RP's second innings spell of 5/59 helped restrict England's lead and gave India a real chance at survival, which they managed, thanks to Dhoni's resilience on the final day. It was one of those quiet, crucial performances that never scream for attention but shape the fate of games.
