The year was 2007. India, hungry for a Test series victory in England after 21 years of waiting, arrived on the British Isles with Rahul Dravid at the helm. The series also marked the introduction of the Pataudi Trophy, adding another layer of significance to the already high-stakes contest. But beyond the team's collective ambition, a personal fire burned within Zaheer Khan, India's premier fast bowler, who felt his skills had been unfairly "rubbished" in the lead-up to the series.
Zaheer had been dropped before the tour of the West Indies in 2006 and prior to that he had 121 wickets from 42 Tests at an average of 36.34. After a stint in county cricket, he was a bowler transformed. His last 50 Tests brought him 190 wickets, averaging 30.78. He picked up a wicket nine balls faster in his second phase than in his first. By 2007, he was at the peak of his powers.
The stage was set at Trent Bridge. In the first innings, Zaheer dismantled the English batting line-up, claiming four wickets to restrict them to a paltry 198. His early dismissals of Andrew Strauss and captain Michael Vaughan rocked the home side, and they never recovered. India took a lead of 283 runs, with Sachin Tendulkar top-scoring with 91. England gave a good account of themselves in the second innings, with Michael Vaughan scoring 124. Zaheer's ability to swing the old ball, especially his reverse swing, proved to be the decisive factor.
Zaheer's mastery over reverse swing was on full display. His decision to bowl from round the wicket proved to be a masterstroke. The delivery that nipped back in to dismiss Vaughan off an inside edge was a testament to his skill and understanding of the conditions. He persisted with this angle, also dismissing Paul Collingwood and Ian Bell, putting India on the brink of a memorable victory. India eventually bowled out England for 355 and chased down a mere 73 runs to win with ease. Zaheer was deservedly named the Man of the Match for his nine wickets in the match.
While Zaheer’s performance was the standout individual contribution, the series victory was a testament to Rahul Dravid's leadership. Since their 2-0 victory under Kapil Dev in 1986, India had won just one of the next ten Tests in England before Rahul Dravid led his troops out, 21 years later, for what would turn out to be his final series in charge. The win at Trent Bridge set the tone for the series, showcasing India's resilience and determination under Dravid.
The final Test at The Oval ended in a draw and Kumble scored his only Test hundred, becoming India's only centurion of the series. Dravid followed Wadekar into the record books, and India's wait for a third series triumph in England had ended after more than two decades.
Dravid's captaincy during that period was remarkable. He led India to their first Test series win in the West Indies since 1971, their first-ever Test victory in South Africa, and a world-record 17 consecutive successful run-chases in ODIs. This victory in England after 21 years was a significant milestone in Indian cricket history. The series win was a collective effort, but Zaheer Khan's brilliance with the ball and Rahul Dravid's astute leadership were instrumental in ending India's long wait.
