"The bounce was very uneven" - When MS Dhoni slammed the Lord's pitch during ENG vs IND 2011 Tests
The pitch in use for the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) Final at Lord's between Australia and South Africa has copped a lot of blame as batters from both sides have failed to make a mark so far. 14 years ago, during India's tour of England, the then-skipper MS Dhoni had also slammed the pitch at the 'Home of Cricket' following a 196-run loss.
The Andrew Strauss-led England, put into bat first, amassed 474-8 in the first innings after a sublime unbeaten double hundred by Kevin Pietersen. In reply, India folded out for 286, with Rahul Dravid playing a lone act with a defiant unbeaten hundred. The visitors were set a target of 458 in the final innings, but they fell well short after crumbling to 261 all out as James Anderson picked up a five-wicket haul.
Following the contest, MS Dhoni was critical of the variable bounce on show from the pitch at Lord's.
"What we saw different from the 2007 series this time was the variable bounce. It became tough. In 2007, there was much more bounce but it was even too. It was interesting to see where I was standing as a keeper then. Zaheer bowls his overs from where I stand, and I used to do so by being 2-3 yards behind in 2007. Here I was standing 2-3 yards in front,” Dhoni said after the defeat (via First Post).
“It had an impact. In 2007 you could leave the deliveries. Here the bounce was very uneven. You couldn’t leave each delivery because a few balls really kept low and never really carried. You had to look to play each delivery and when it bounced it was difficult," he added.
Since the harrowing defeat during the 2011 series opener, India have won two times in their next three red-ball outings at the iconic venue. Dhoni led the team to a win at Lord's during the 2014 series, while Virat Kohli orchestrated one of India's most famous overseas wins during the 2021 tour of England.
28 wickets have fallen in two days at Lord's in the 2025 WTC Final
The first and second days of the 2025 WTC Final at Lord's have witnessed 14 wickets fall apiece as the bowlers have dominated the proceedings from the get-go. Pacers from both sides have been able to maximize the movement from the pitch as well as the on-and-off overcast conditions.
At the end of Day 1, South Africa were reeling at 43-4 after bowling out Australia for 212. On the other hand, Australia finished at 144-8 at Stumps on Day 2 following the Proteas being skittled out for 132 in their first innings.
It remains to be seen how the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Match Referee rate the pitch that is likely to witness a result inside three days.