Legendary Bowling Performances at the ‘Home of Cricket’
Lord’s Cricket Ground in London has hosted some of India’s most memorable bowling achievements. Over decades, Indian bowlers—ranging from fiery pacers to crafty spinners—have left indelible marks with incisive spells that changed the course of matches.
1. Bishan Singh Bedi – Mastering Lords with Spin
The late left-arm spinner claimed 17 wickets at Lord’s, including a 6/226 haul in 1974. His graceful flight and control earned respect even on pace-favoring pitches 1.
2. Kapil Dev – Fearless Pace and Swing
India’s iconic all‑rounder took 17 wickets at Lord’s, utilizing his pace and swinging abilities to unsettle England’s top order during challenging overseas tours 2.
3. Ishant Sharma – Hero of the 2014 Triumph
With over 300 career Test wickets, Ishant stood tall at Lord’s, picking 17 wickets—including a stunning 7/74 in 2014, becoming the only Indian bowler to take seven wickets in an innings there 3.
4. Zaheer Khan – Reverse-Swing Maestro
Zaheer’s mastery of reverse-swing brought him 11 wickets at Lord’s across three Test appearances, exploiting even slight ball wear to trouble English batters 4.
5. Anil Kumble – Leg-Spin Effectiveness
India’s top wicket-taker in Tests ended with 12 wickets at Lord’s. His deceptive flippers and bounce fetched him valuable wickets, despite the venue’s seamer-friendly nature 5.
Note-Worthy Absentees from the Five-Wicket Club
Despite stellar careers, some greats haven’t achieved five-wicket hauls at Lord’s:
- Jasprit Bumrah: Stellar figures in London, but yet to complete a five-wicket innings there 6.
- Harbhajan Singh & Ravichandran Ashwin: Elite spinners who never secured a fifer at Lord’s 7.
Why Lord’s is Special
“The Home of Cricket” demands adaptability—from seam movement to spin mastery—requiring bowlers to tailor styles to its unique conditions. These five Indians who succeeded here demonstrated technical excellence and mental resilience.
Timeline of Iconic Efforts
- 1971–74: Bishan Singh Bedi spins magic; 6-wicket haul in ’74.
- 1980s: Kapil Dev’s fast bowling prowess at Lord’s.
- 2007: Zaheer’s reverse-swing heroics.
- 2014: Ishant’s legendary 7/74 ignites comeback.
- 1996–2007: Kumble’s persistent leg-spin success.
Trivia & Quiz Highlights
- Ishant Sharma stands as the only Indian with a seven-wicket haul in a single innings at Lord’s.
- Bedi, Kapil, and Ishant each have 17 wickets at this iconic ground.
- Anil Kumble’s 12 wickets came without a single five-wicket haul there.
- Zaheer spread 11 wickets over three Tests, showcasing consistency.
- Bumrah and Ashwin remain notable absentees from Lord’s five-for list.
Conclusion: Craft and Courage at Lord’s
From Bedi’s classic spin to Ishant’s pace dominance, these five bowlers have etched their names in Lord’s annals through sheer skill and tenacity. Their performances serve as inspiring reminders of India’s evolving bowling legacy on cricket’s grandest stage.
Source: Abp News