IndiaPost.com - Zaheer Khan leads India to triumph over England

NOTTINGHAM: India overcame minor hiccups before wrapping up the second cricket Test with a seven-wicket victory to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match rubber and put themselves on course for a rare overseas series triumph.

Needing just 63 runs to clinch victory on the final day, the Indians cruised home comfortably on a sunny morning at the Trent Bridge to register only their fifth Test win on English soil. It was a remarkable turnaround by Rahul Dravid's men after being thoroughly outplayed in the first Test at the Lord's where the weather gods saved them from a certain defeat. But the hosts had no such luck as the sun broke out in all its splendor in the morning to provide the perfect setting for the Indian batsmen to launch the run chase.

Dinesh Kaarthick (22) and Wasim Jaffer (22) blunted a spirited bowling by England, and although Sachin Tendulkar (1) fell cheaply, India's victory was never in doubt. The winning runs came from a bye four off Chris Tremlett, symptomatic of England's luck in the match, and triggering scenes of celebrations in the Indian dressing room.

The last time India won a Test match on English soil was at the Leeds in 2002 when they had defeated the hosts by an innings and 46 runs, riding on centuries from Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly. With just one match remaining, the visitors have raised hopes of a rare series win in England, the last one having come more than two decades ago. It was in 1986 that India triumphed in England when Kapil Dev's team had won by a 2-0 margin.

The action will now shift to the Kennington Oval in London where the two teams will square up again for the third and final Test. The golden moment came when Tremlett's intended attempt to york Sourav Ganguly in the 25th over of the innings resulted in four byes that helped India reach the target. Ganguly (2 no) immediately raised his hands with a great sense of deja vu even as Rahul Dravid (11 no) ran down the pitch to embrace his colleague.

The celebrations had started in the dressing room while the Indian batsmen exchanged the traditional handshakes with the opposition and the umpires before running off the field to a heroes welcome. Chasing just 73 runs for victory was more of a joy ride for the Indians - who started the fifth day at 10 without loss - with Kaarthick and Wasim Jaffer looking both relaxed and confident.

Kaarthick underlined his liking for what was to be a great day for Indian cricket when he glided James Anderson past point for the first boundary of the day in the second over of the day. Jaffer too showed his sense of occasion and a keenness to race to the target when he delicately turned Ryan Sidebottom past square leg to pick up his first boundary in the next over.

Kaarthick then cut Anderson for another boundary while Jaffer pulled and glanced Sidebottom for two consecutive fours in the following over. The introduction of Tremlett into the attack pegged India back a bit as the tall strapping pacers picked up three wickets for three runs in a space of 27 deliveries.

The pair put on 47 runs for the first wicket in 60 minutes before Jaffer top edged an intended pull against Tremlett and was easily caught at point by Kevin Pietersen. Jaffer made 22 off 45 balls with three fours. Dravid got off the mark with a glorious on-drive off Sidebottom that also brought up the 50 of the innings in 15.5 overs.

Tremlett then picked up his second wicket when he had Kaarthick caught at the wicket to a short rising delivery that took the outside edge of the bat. Kaarthick made 22 off 56 balls with three fours. Dravid then collected a streaky four against Anderson when he top edged the bowler just over the wicketkeeper and first slip.