Bhuvneshwar Kumar's Birthday Special: 6-Wicket Haul against England at Lord's – On This Day in 2014

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the first Indian bowler to take 5-fers in all three formats of the game, stood out among India's emerging fast bowlers with his exceptional swing and cunning slower balls. His consistent performances had underscored his value in the cricketing arena. Reflecting on his birthday and the ongoing India vs England Test match in Vizag, let's rewind to 2014 and recall his stellar bowling exhibition, where he claimed a remarkable 6-wicket haul against the English side at Lords.

In a mesmerising display of swing bowling reminiscent of exceptional talents, the Meerut bowler showcased his mastery at Lord's in 2014 and registered his name in the record books with a stellar performance against England. The second Test match between India and England bore witness to his brilliance as he orchestrated a captivating display of seam and swing, and bagged six wickets to dismantle the English batting lineup.

Amidst a backdrop of swing-friendly conditions, India set the stage with a respectable total of 295 runs in the first innings, with Ajinkya Rahane leading the charge with a magnificent century. Bhuvneshwar Kumar's contribution with the bat, not to be overlooked, added crucial runs to India's tally with a well-crafted 36.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar bamboozles English batters

However, it was with the ball that the right-arm pacer truly left an indelible mark. His spellbinding figures of 6 wickets for 82 runs left the English batters bamboozled and the Lord's crowd spellbound. From the onset, he dismantled England's top order, accounting for the dismissals of stalwarts like Alastair Cook and then Gary Ballance, the latter having amassed a century.

Kumar's relentless accuracy and subtle variations proved too much for the English, as he further scalped the prized wicket of Ben Stokes and Stuart Broad later, and left the hosts reeling. His fifth wicket, a delivery of sheer brilliance with impeccable seam positioning, sent Stokes packing, that left the English lineup in disarray. Ultimately, India secured a historic victory, their maiden triumph at the iconic Lord's Stadium since 1986, winning the Test match by a margin of 95 runs.