England vs India: Alastair Cook Struggles to Accept 'Tough Lord's Defeat'

England skipper Alastair Cook was a broken man by the end of the second Test at Lord's after India stormed to, only, their second win at the iconic venue. (Highlights)

Ishant Sharma rocked the hosts with career-best figures of 7/74 and Cook, whose wretched form with the bat continued, accepted the defeat was a bitter pill to swallow but gave the young tourists due credit for their superior performance.

"It's a tough defeat at Lord's, the home of cricket. I think we have to give India a lot of credit for they have outbowled and outbatted us."

India's last and only win at Lord's before today, had come 28 years ago and Cook admitted Ishant and Co. were better than the home bowlers. (India Create History at Lord's)

England had the upper hand for most of the first day after electing to bowl on a green surface. However, after having the visitors on the mat at 145/7, Cook's bowlers allowed India to pile up 299 as Ajinkya Rahane struck a fine second hundred.

Cook, whose first-day tactics were put to question, blamed the reversal on low confidence. England have been under the hammer since their 0-5 drubbing in the Ashes in Australia, with several senior players now out of the side or going through poor form.

"It is definitely an issue of confidence in (the inability of) getting over the finish line. There's a group of players desperate to win for England," Cook said.

The captain, whose woeful form has given detractors fodder to ask for his head, also launched a veiled criticism of the senior players' prolonged failure.

"A lot of our performances have been by the younger guys; that's good for English cricket. Yes, the older guys are not playing as well as their records suggest. It's the same for myself. I have to start scoring runs as well."

Cook said it will take a lot of determination from his team to turn this series around. India are leading 1-0 after two Tests in the five-match series and the hosts will be under extra pressure to deliver.

With his own captaincy and possibly even his place in the team likely to come under the scanner, Cook launched a spirited defence of himself, subtly asking for time at the help till the end of the English summer.

"All the heat is on me. If I am not good at the end of the summer then so be it. I should start scoring runs and lead from the front. I will lead till the management want me to. I was batting well in the second innings and will go back to the nets and work harder," Cook said.

"I'm trying my heart out to turn this around. First and foremost, I have to start scoring runs. The recent past hasn't been kind to me, but we have won some games as well," a crestfallen but dignified England captain said.

England and India will clash for the third Test at Southampton from July 27.