Watch: India’s dressing room gives a rousing welcome to Shami & Bumrah at lunch break after terrific partnership

India were in a difficult position when they lost Rishabh Pant in the fourth over of the fifth day of this second Test match against England at Lord’s. The score read just 194/7 and the lead stood at 167 runs. Ishant Sharma fell not too long after and India were reduced to 209/8. It seemed like the end is nigh for India and the innings could be wrapped up any time soon.

However, Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah had other plans. There has been a lot of talk around how the Indian lower-order are working hard in the nets to contribute as much as they can. If not in terms of runs, at least hanging in there with a set batsman (if that is the case). And the hard work is paying rich dividends at the moment.

For the second time in as many Test matches, the Indian lower-order has stood tall and helped the team score some vital runs. Shami and Bumrah batted with great resilience and barely missed out on scoring opportunities. Shami was batting on 7 when Bumrah joined him in the middle. And 20 overs, later, the duo added 89 runs for the ninth wicket and it remained unbeaten as India declared.

Shami finished unbeaten on 56 while Bumrah ended his knock with 33 not out. Both Shami and Bumrah weathered the early storm. Mark Wood banged the ball in short and at extreme pace. In fact, Bumrah was also hit on the head a couple of times and there was constant chatter going around between the two ace Indian fast bowlers and the England players.

Yet, the Shami-Bumrah duo took everything in their stride and piled on the misery on England. With every passing run, the frustration grew for England. Shami smashed a stunning half-century (56) and he hit five fours and a six during his 70-ball knock where he had a strike-rate of 80. Bumrah contributed with a stoic and a resilient 34 which came off 64 balls.

That stand between Shami and Bumrah helped India add 105 runs in the first session despite losing the likes of Pant and Ishant very early on the fifth morning. Virat Kohli and co were cheering every run from the Indian dressing room, most of whom were on the famous Lord’s balcony.

Once the session ended, all of them rushed down to the famous Lord’s long room to welcome Shami and Bumrah, lauding their efforts. The Indian team didn’t stop clapping and applauding the pace-bowling duo till they reached the dressing room. In fact, Mohammed Siraj was also seen whistling to welcome and applaud the efforts of Shami and Bumrah.

BCCI’s Twitter account uploaded the video of the reception that the Shami-Bumrah pair received when they walked back to the dressing room at the end of the first session. It was a proper hero’s reception.

A partnership to remember for ages for @Jaspritbumrah93 & @MdShami11 on the field and a rousing welcome back to the dressing room from #TeamIndia.

What a moment this at Lord's #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/biRa32CDTt

— BCCI (@BCCI) August 16, 2021

Both Shami and Bumrah came out after lunch but played out only 1.3 overs. In fact, both recorded their respective best score in their Test careers.