England v India 2014, 2nd Test: Player ratings for Team India

India outplayed England in England: we dont often get to hear this line, butit is what happened at Lords after Ishant Sharma bounced out a listless England batting unit.On a first-daypitch that was hard to differentiate with the outfield, India,led by Ajinkya Rahanes (103)brilliance, posted 295 in the first innings.England managed a lead of 24 runs, courtesy Gary Ballances(110)ton and Liam Plunketts determined fifty. Bhuvneshwar Kumars six-for was not enough for the visitors to stop England from getting their noses ahead.Then it was time for a characteristic Murali Vijay knock:his 95 was an epitome ofdiscipline.Just when it looked like India were losing the plot with the fall of 3 wickets including that of Vijay,Ravindra Jadejas (68) heroics meantthe home side was made to chase a total in excess of 300 on a track that offered uneven bounce.And then came Ishant Sharmas 7-74 that left England shell-shocked as Indiaregistered theirfirst away win in 15 Tests.Ratings are based on the players impact in the game.

#1 Murali Vijay - 8.5/10

Contribution: 24 & 1/12; 95 + 1 Catch

The Tamil Nadu opener carried on from his century at Trent Bridge to ensure that India survived the first hour on a green surface before making an extremely crucial 95 in the second innings. 

The 30-year-old was at ease at the crease, leaving most of his deliveries outside the off-stump. His judgement was top class, which helped him stand firm when the wickets kept tumbling at the other end. He batted for 378 minutes that allowed MS Dhoni’s men to recover from a middle order collapse: a period that saw 3 Indian wickets fall for 5 runs.

He also chipped in with a wicket of Moeen Ali in England’s first innings off a full length delivery.