India146;s efforts lauded

The Trent Bridge victory was one of the best efforts put in by an Indian team overseas. To have the openers put up a 147-run partnership...

The Trent Bridge victory was one of the best efforts put in by an Indian team overseas. To have the openers put up a 147-run partnership, the best batsmen in the middle order chipping in with impressive half-centuries and the lead bowler taking a five-wicket match-winning haul is something that left England with no chance in the game.

Former England coach David Lloyd accepts that India8217;s performance in the Test here was 8220;a fantastic team effort8221;, given the fact that they had to deal with sledging, distractions on the pitch, an ordinary performance at Lord8217;s and the aftereffects of a disastrous World Cup outing,

8220;This could be the exact morale-booster India were looking for,8221; Lloyd added. Former England bowler Derek Pringle and ex-captain Michael Atherton, covering the match here, minced no words on how England dug their own grave. While praising skipper Michael Vaughan for his brilliant hundred and even Chris Tremlett for the extra-ordinary early morning burst on the fifth and final day8212;two wickets in 27 balls, conceding only four runs8212;they criticised the team for everything else, especially how England 8220;had forgotten to maintain the spirit of the game.8221;

The effort of Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the first Test was inspiring for the team before coming into this Trent Bridge Test. His half-century and bad weather had got India out of jail there, and at Trent Bridge, Lloyd said: 8220;The confidence in their approach was quite visible.8221;

There is little doubt now that the initiative rests with India going into the third and final Test. The prospect of winning a series here in England after more than two decades is bright. Former England captain Graham Gooch too appreciated the way India took control of the situation against all odds. Gooch praised Zaheer Khan8217;s bowling8212;his five-wicket haul8212;which he said 8220;was a classic reply to the jelly bean controversy.8221;