This day that year: Remembering Ishant Sharma's 7/74 and India's historic triumph at Lord's

The Indian cricket team, after losing the ODI series against England, are preparing for a 5-match Test series in the English soil. After around two weeks and a half, the much-awaited series will commence at the home of cricket, Lord's cricket ground.

On this very day four years ago, Lord's witnessed the combination of shrewd captaincy and perfectly executed bowling, which left English cricketing fraternity jaw-dropped.

It was the 2nd Test of the 5-match Investec Test series. India had scored 295 runs in the first innings while England replied with 319, thereby getting a 24-run lead. The visitors made a strong comeback in the second innings with 342, as Murali Vijay's 95 was supported by Ravindra Jadeja and Bhuvneshwar Kumar's partnership.

Still, a target of 318 looked anything bet achievable. India got an early breakthrough in the form of Sam Robson, but Alastair Cook and Gary Ballance built a partnership which was later broken by Mohammed Shami. Then began the Ishant Sharma show. Let me take you through the magical spell:

#1st wicket - Ian Bell (Day 4)

Ian Bell was dismissed for just one run

England were 71 at the loss of two wickets when Ishant Sharma started his wreckage. Bell had just come to the crease after Ballance's dismissal when he was subjected to a fine example of Test bowling. Sharma hit the right spot and the ball angled in. Bell tried to tackle it with a defensive shot but the ball kept low. It missed his bat but kissed the stumps, hence sending England's third batsman back to the pavilion.

#2nd wicket - Alastair Cook (Day 4)

Cook was looking solid

Bell was sent back, but the big fish was still out there in the field, with no intention of throwing his wicket away. Cook was exemplary in leaving anything outside off but somehow had an urge to offer a bat to the second ball of the 32nd over. The ball found an edge and came smoothly to Dhoni's gloves, leaving England in a threatening situation at 72/4.

#3rd wicket - Moeen Ali

Moeen Ali's wicket was perhaps the most crucial of Ishant's seven

Moeen Ali and Joe Root steadied England's ship on the fifth day. With a 100-run partnership, the Three Lions were cruising towards a victory when a fantastic bowler-captain combination clicked. Ali tried to duck Sharma's bouncer but the ball hit his gloves and moved towards the short leg. Cheteshwar Pujara was placed in that position for this very situation as Dhoni's plan worked.

#4th wicket - Matt Prior

Prior could not resist a 'pull'

After a successful plan with the short ball, Sharma was asked to use it often. Butt English wicket-keeper Matt Prior was clever enough to play the short balls down the ground, or don't play at all.

Sharma then came round the wicket, banged the ball short, and for no good reason, Prior opted for a pull. Again an example of superb captaincy by Dhoni, as the ball went towards deep mid-wicket, where Murali Vijay was placed. Vijay, known for his safe pair of hands, never looked like he will drop the catch.

#5th wicket - Ben Stokes

Stokes was dismissed for a duck

After Matt Prior's dismissal, Ben Stokes came into the crease. Though the 2014 Stokes was not as destructive as his current version, he was still capable of creating trouble.

Sharma banged it short again, though not very short this time, and Stokes went for a pull. He didn't get the connection he wanted as the ball took the top edge and skied towards mid-wicket. Bhuvneswar Kumar made no mistake and England were down to 201/7.

#6th wicket - Joe Root

Root's spirited stay came to an end soon after Stokes' dismissal.

England needed 117 runs to win with only three wickets in hand as Indian fans could smell the sweet fragrance of victory. However, they were aware that the determined Joe Root was still in the crease. His one-man-show came to an end when Root, just like Prior, pulled a round-of-the-wicket delivery. Stuart Binny took a good catch to end Root's resilience on 66.

Stuart Broad's wicket completed Sharma's magnificent spell

After Root's dismissal, the fate of the game was sealed and India were heading towards a memorable victory at Lord's. Broad helped Sharma complete his seven-wicket haul by gloving a ball that was going down the leg side. Dhoni took a great catch diving to his right as Sharma attained his career-best figures.

After 18 days, the Indian team will take on England for a Test match at Lord's, but Dhoni will not be a part of it. Sharma, though a part of the squad, is no more India's most trusted pacer with the emergence of Jasprit Bumrah. England will lack the unparalleled resolution, but a Kohli v Root battle will be the one to watch out for.