Sharmistha Gooptu in London
Lord’s is the king of all battles and today it is the battle royale here set to start in a few minutes from now. As all match days, I’m early in the media centre, it’s just 9 am here in London – the spaceship-like structure that’s going to be my workplace for the next few days.
The England team was already warming up, and within the next half hour the Indian team was on scene.
Unlike Birmingham, where the birdie had a neat view of the pitch, at Lord’s the media centre is at a further end so I strained my eyes to get a grasp of the pre-match scenario. Gautam Gambhir in his recognisable stance, hands in pocket, his lighter body language of the first day in practice here at Lord’s not visible.
Jasprit Bumrah, who is returning to the side, was seen bowling hard. And then, Mohammed Siraj came in for some more. Even from a distance, however, the body language was tough, readying for the battle of all battles. None of the easy going boy’s club of the last day of the Edgbaston match, when the team knew they were gunning for a win.
Today the assembled crowd have dressed themselves not for a carnival but for a battle. Today will set up a lot for this Indian team.
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