After watching the boys fight and grind out an amazing result yesterday, my horrible memories from 2018 came flashing by. I had to write about it. If you've ever wanted to be a cricketer, playing at Lord's must have been up there in your bucket lists.

Whenever India would play a series in England, you'd first lookout for the dates of the Lord's game, clearing your schedule, doing what it takes to not miss the action at Lord's.

There is something about this place that breathes history, legacy, tradition, class.

Borderline elitism. But you love it. You want to be a part of it.

Since playing at Lord's never happened, watching a test match was the next best thing.

I planned this trip a couple of months in advance and bought tickets for all 4 days (they never sell day 5 tickets as most test matches are unlikely to reach day 5), hoping to witness a historic India win.

To give you context, India had been the dominant test side at home in the build-up to that series. We had a long season planned (away from home), and we'd competed fairly decently in South Africa to expect a result on our next stop to England.

Two days before I reached England, I found out that one of my best friends and roommates from college was also travelling to the U.K. for the same fixture. Arjun and I in London, from Diddee House to Lord's! Who would've thought?

If you've read Wankhede Woes, you'd be aware how horrible my luck is when I go to watch team India play. Well, nothing changed.

In the 13 odd tests we played away from home that season, an opponent dominated us in only one. Any points for guessing which one? The one I had decided to go for.

Day 1:

Why does England host ANY cricket?

I've gone for 3 cricket games to England.

1. India vs England Test - Lord's 2018 - Rain

2. India vs Pakistan World Cup 2019 - Rain

3. India vs New Zealand World Cup 2019 - Rain

(More on the World Cup bit later.)

I walk into Lord's, wearing my blazer, semi-suited up for a Test Match at Lord's. And it's pouring. Can it get worse? Locals tell me that this was their hottest and dryest summer yet, and rains decided to show up today. How poetic.

If I'm not wrong, the toss had happened on Day 1. England won the toss and decided to bowl first, taking advantage of the overcast conditions. I wasn't even lucky to watch the toss as I wasn't around my stand then. I couldn't watch Virat Kohli walk into the magnificent stadium with his blazer and baggy cap. What an absolute bummer.

Arjun and I drowned our misery in beer and went back after the play was called off.

Day 2:

Still extremely overcast, we got to see some cricket. I had tickets to a better stand for Day 2, and I was finally excited to watch some test cricket.

My first ever test match at Lord's, what more can one ask for?

Hoping the openers see-through session 1, but Anderson had other plans. He sent our openers early, followed by the entry of Virat Kohli. I was super thrilled to see him play test cricket. I was hoping to see his first 50 or 100 at Lord's, but I saw a decent 20 something score and one of the most comical run-outs in the history of the game.

The flow of events in the build-up to the run out:

Rains Umpires ask players to leave the field Rain Stops before they reach the dressing room

Umpires call players back Pujara and Kohli play one ball and are involved in a mix-up Pujara gets run out (Kohli's mistake) Rain starts right after the run-out Umpires ask players to leave the field again Rain Continues.

Basically, the little bit of rain came ONLY to make this run-out happen, nothing else.

Shambolic banter by the weather gods. At this point, I realised the fickle element of luck isn't with India this test and all I have to do is embrace the test match experience and hold back the die-hard Indian cricket fan within me.

I applauded Anderson's Fifer. It truly was a great experience watching one of the all-time greats doing what he does best. The sounds of "Ohhh Jimmy Jimmy, Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy Anderson" still echo in my ears whenever I see him take a run-up.

Day 3 and 4.

Obviously, the sun came out when England come to bat.

I witnessed a decent catch by Karthik but nothing else on the Indian front. When Chris Woakes was nearing 100, I wanted him to make it so I could experience a Lord's Century as well. He batted beautifully for his 130 odd.

When I removed the expectations from the game, I genuinely enjoyed the entire experience a lot more. Met fans who flew from all parts of the world to watch their favourite cricketers battle it out.

Unfortunately, this test was as one-sided as test cricket can get and most definitely not a great advertisement for test cricket.

I always planned to go back to Lord's for some redemption. Earlier I thought it'd be the World Cup 2019 Finals or the 2021 WTC Finals, we didn't reach the final for the former, and the venue changed for the latter. We did get redemption yesterday, but I wasn't there. WHY WASN'T I THERE? F*****G COVID

Cut to 2021:

What an absolute belter performance.

KL Rahul - Grabbing opportunity with both hands.

Rohit Sharma - Giving the stability at the top order by showing his experience

Pujara - Responds to criticism by a patient and valuable 40 odd in the 2nd innings.

Kohli - Even if he doesn't do much with the bat, his presence is enough, and it rubs off everyone. His first innings contribution was gold, though.

Rahane - Stepping up when it matters.

Pant - Amazing keeping and decent contribution in the lower middle order. After the Australia series, expectations are higher, though.

Jaddu - Solid presence on the field + created problems with ball and bat.

Ishant Sharma - Important breakthroughs and batted decent time in second innings. Shami - The greatest 50 of his career by a mile. And a fiery start with the ball.

Bumrah - The best anchoring role with the bat and a perfect start with the ball.

Siraj - He was my player of the match. 8 wickets and an outstanding presence on the field.

While it sucks I wasn't there, I couldn't be more pumped for the lads to start the series on a high. We could have been 2 - 0 up. Who knows. Let's hope we continue the intensity and take home the first away series of the WTC 2.0.

Test Cricket is just like life. I remember Sam Curran being the find of that series, and yesterday he went down in history as the first player to record a king pair at Lord's. The India win is just another reminder, be patient and follow the process; your time will come. And in Sam Curran's example, enjoy the highs; you never know when the low might come crashing.

I'm genuinely scared to go for a cricket game again because I can't help but feel like an unlucky charm. For a fairly logical and rational person like me to arrive at this conclusion, it only shows how emotions always have and always will dominate the sport.

Until next time Lord's, we aren't quite done yet.