3 Lower Order Partnerships That Saved A Test Match For India

Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami after record partnership at Lords (X.com)Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami after record partnership at Lords (X.com)

The Indian cricket team has had its fair share of dramatic cricket matches in red ball cricket, many of which were saved or turned around by heroic lower-order partnerships.

These partnerships often come when the team was in dire straits, and the contributions from the lower order can be the difference between defeat and a remarkable escape or victory. 

On that note, here are three memorable lower-order partnerships that saved Test matches for India.

3. VVS Laxman & Ishant Sharma vs Australia In Mohali, 2010

VVS Laxman and Ishant Sharma (X.com)VVS Laxman and Ishant Sharma (X.com)

One of the most iconic lower-order partnerships in Indian cricket history took place during the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2010 at Mohali. Chasing a target of 216 runs, India found themselves in deep trouble at 124/8. With Australia on the brink of victory, a resilient VVS Laxman joined forces with Ishant Sharma, who came in at no.10.

Laxman, battling a stiff back, played a masterful knock while guiding Ishant simultaneously, who managed to survive for 92 deliveries, scoring a crucial 31 runs. Their partnership of 81 runs for the ninth wicket turned the game on its head. While Ishant perished, Laxman held his ground to steer India to a dramatic one-wicket victory.

2. Ravichandran Ashwin & Ravindra Jadeja vs England in Mohali, 2016

Ashwin and Jadeja at Mohali (X.com)Ashwin and Jadeja at Mohali (X.com)

In 2016, India witnessed a remarkable lower-order partnership that not only saved them from a precarious situation but also helped them dominate the Test match. Responding to a 283 first-inning total by England, India succumbed to 204/6 before Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja stepped up with a gritty 100-run partnership for the seventh wicket.

After Ashwin perished on 72, Jadeja and Jayant Yadav added 80 more valuable runs to steer India's total to 417. England never recovered from the implosion and was bowled out for 236 runs in the second innings. Meanwhile, India chased down 104 runs in 20 overs to secure an 8-wicket dominant victory.

1. Jasprit Bumrah & Mohammed Shami vs England at Lords, 2021

Shami and Bumrah at Lords (X.com)Shami and Bumrah at Lords (X.com)

The partnership between Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah at Lord's during the second Test of the 2021 India-England series is one of the most memorable lower-order stands in recent Indian cricket history. India struggled under challenging conditions to set a total for the hosts. 

On day 5, for the ninth wicket, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami paired up to not only survive the bowlers' brutal attack but also stack up an 89-run record partnership, which helped India declare the innings at 298, thus setting up a 272-run target for England.

The hosts fumbled and were bowled out for 120 runs as India clinched a history victory at the mecca of cricket. While Shami got his half-century, Bumrah also contributed with 34 crucial runs.