Story of a slope and stars

It’s neither the oldest nor the biggest cricket ground ever, yet it’s easily the most celebrated and recognisable, the most hallowed and revered piece of real estate in the cricketing world.

Named after Thomas Lord and established in 1814, Lord’s is universally regarded as the Mecca of Cricket. Some, like Sunil Gavaskar, don’t necessarily subscribe to that school of thought, but even the great opening batsman and former India captain is quick to admit that Lord’s has an aura all of its own.

Perhaps, it’s because like several grounds in New Zealand, the outfield doesn’t form a perfect circle. More uniquely, perhaps, it’s because it’s the only ground in the world where there is a pronounced slope, of eight feet and eight inches, from one end of the ground to another.

While this might have served as a blot on any other venue, it merely adds to the mystique that surrounds Lord’s, where stand-out performances are greeted by almost choreographed muted applauses from uppity Members and where any form of spontaneity, except out in the middle, is frowned upon.

India have a wonderfully chequered relationship with Lord’s. It was at this venue, in June 1932, that India were welcomed into the Test fold. Predictably, CK Nayudu’s men went down to Douglas Jardine’s battle-hardened Englishmen by 158 runs, but Mohammad Nissar had provided the first glimpse of Indian feistiness with a five-wicket haul in the first innings.

Exactly 61 years to the day since India made their first Test appearance, on June 25, at the same venue, Kapil Dev masterminded a stunning coup that was to change the face of world cricket. On June 25, 1983, Kapil’s Devils did the unthinkable – pull the rug from under the mighty West Indies’ feet in the final of the Prudential World Cup. The sight of the Haryana Hurricane receiving the World Cup on the Lord’s balcony has since remained etched in the mind’s eye of every Indian cricket follower, with Mahendra Singh Dhoni now jostling for space after the exploits earlier this year.

India have had plenty of disappointments at the headquarters of cricket, privately owned by the Marylebone Cricket Club, the law-makers of cricket, but they have had their moments, too.

Nothing will top the World Cup triumph of 1983, but the NatWest triumph of 2002 will come a close second. Written off as no-hopers after England amassed 325 and India had lost half their side with the target a good 180 runs away, India found their heroes in Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif as they pulled off a sensational two-wicket win.

Sourav Ganguly’s ‘shirt-off’, cocking a snook at the stiff upper lip that is so synonymous with Lord’s, was symbolic of brave new India – rebellious, self-assured to the extent of being cocky, unapologetic and proud of its standing. Lord’s hasn’t been the same again!

Without sacrificing its traditions, Lord’s has embraced the modern too in keeping with the times. The slope remains, as do the brownstone structures, but competing for eyeballs is the swank media ‘spaceship’, excellent dressing room facilities, and enhanced spectator comfort. The face of the paying fan, too, has changed. The South Asians lend drama and noise and character to Lord’s, something even the die-hard Member too is beginning to acknowledge and appreciate.