In Short
- Lord’s has been challenging for England with only 59 wins in 145 Tests
- England lost four and won two Tests against subcontinental teams since 2014
- England lost to India by 151 runs in the 2021 Lord’s Test
Lord’s is a historic venue in English cricket, but it hasn’t quite become a fortress for the home side. Of the 145 matches played at the Home of Cricket since England’s first appearance there in 1884, they have won 59 and lost 35.
Beyond their overall record, England have faced a different kind of challenge over the past decade – subcontinental teams have frequently unsettled them at Lord’s. Since 2014, England have played eight Tests at the venue against teams from the subcontinent, losing four, winning just two, with the remaining two ending in draws.
As they prepare to take the field on Saturday against Shubman Gill’s India – who are riding high after a record-breaking 336-run victory at Edgbaston, their biggest overseas win in Test history – England will be acutely aware of the stakes. Another setback could leave them on the back foot in the series.
England’s Test record against subcontinent teams since 2014
- England vs Sri Lanka, 29 Aug 2024 – England won by 190 runs
- England vs India, 12 Aug 2021 – England lost by 151 runs
- England vs India, 9 Aug 2018 – England won by innings & 159 runs
- England vs Pakistan, 24 May 2018 – England lost by 9 wickets
- England vs Pakistan, 14 Jul 2016 – England lost by 75 runs
- England vs Sri Lanka, 9 Jun 2016 – Match drawn
- England vs India, 17 Jul 2014 – England lost by 95 runs
- England vs Sri Lanka, 12 Jun 2014 – Match drawn
India might just be licking their lips as Lord’s has given them quite a bit to cheer for over the years.
Brilliant Ishant Sharma and Kohli’s ‘Hell’
India’s victory at Lord’s in 2014 was more than just a Test win – it was a seismic shift. After 28 long years, they conquered the Home of Cricket with heart, grit, and a fire that refused to dim. Ajinkya Rahane’s masterful century laid the foundation, but it was Ishant Sharma’s furious short-ball spell, 23-6-74-7, that shattered England’s hopes.
The hosts collapsed, stunned by India’s aggression and hunger. That 95-run win wasn’t just historic – it was haunting. As India returns to Lord’s, the ghosts of 2014 linger. England will remember the bounce, the roar, the fall – and deep down, they’ll feel the fear.
It wasn’t the only time India dominated England at Lord’s in recent years. The 2021 Test match was another chapter in that growing history.
Before England’s final innings, needing 272 to win, Virat Kohli gathered his team in a huddle and delivered a message that lit a fire: “For 60 overs, they should feel like hell.” It wasn’t just motivation – it was a clear plan. Kohli wanted relentless pressure, and his bowlers answered.
Bumrah, Siraj, and company came in hard, giving England no room to breathe. The hosts had no real answers – their technique, temperament, and confidence all came under fire. India’s aggression didn’t just challenge them; it broke them.
The English batting collapsed under the weight of the moment, bowled out for 120 in just 51.5 overs. India secured a memorable 151-run win – a triumph built on belief, fire, and Kohli’s searing message.
Extra motivation?
Former England captain Kevin Pietersen said teams are especially motivated when playing a Test match at Lord’s. Pietersen, who played 104 Tests for England, added that the hosts will need to bring their A-game to challenge India.
“I know it’s 1-1, and I know that Lord’s will be a great Test match – it always is. The problem for England is that whenever I played there, and whenever we played there, it always brought out the best in the opposition,” Pietersen told Sky Sports.
“You turn up at Lord’s, and it’s such a historic ground that something just happens. Whether it was Australia, South Africa, or India, they always turned up and played well – because it’s the place where you want to get on the honours board.
“So it’s going to be hard for England,” Pietersen added.
After the first Test, where England won by five wickets, chasing down 371, it seemed the hosts were poised for a series win. However, India turned the tables in Birmingham. With everything still to play for, the Lord’s Test could be the make-or-break moment in deciding the series outcome.
