India, June 16 -- 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 series marked the introduction of the Pataudi Trophy to celebrate the contributions of Iftikhar and his son Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi to cricket in the two countries, so there was an added incentive for both sides, if that was needed.

India were saved by the weather at Lord's in the first Test, last pair Mahendra Singh Dhoni and No. 11 S Sreesanth negotiating 30 deliveries, with a little help from umpire Steve Bucknor, when the notorious English rain arrived to deny a hosts a comprehensive victory. Over...