ENG vs IND: England Beat India by 22 Runs in Thrilling Third Test at Lord’s, Take 2-1 Series Lead
England edged out India in a gripping contest at Lord’s, securing a narrow 22-run win on the final day of the third Test despite a fighting effort from Ravindra Jadeja and the Indian tail. The hosts now lead the five-match series 2-1, with two Tests remaining.
Chasing a modest target of 193, India’s hopes were raised by a valiant half-century from Jadeja, who stood tall with the lower order even as wickets tumbled around him. Starting the final session at 163 for 9, with Jadeja unbeaten on 56 and Siraj on 2, India needed just 30 more runs. Despite brave resistance, a sharply turning delivery from off-spinner Shoaib Bashir that spun back onto Siraj’s stumps ended the visitors’ innings at 170, sealing a heart-breaking defeat for India.
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Jadeja’s unbeaten 61 off 181 balls, marked by immense patience and grit, was his fourth-successive fifty, but his effort went in vain. He shared crucial partnerships with Jasprit Bumrah and Siraj, with the last two wickets collectively lasting over 20 overs and adding 58 runs. Bumrah hung in for 54 deliveries before falling for five, while Siraj survived 30 balls.
England’s bowlers kept their composure under pressure. Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer claimed three wickets each, with Brydon Carse and Bashir also making significant contributions.
Earlier, India had been reduced to 58 for 4 by the end of day four, and resumed their chase under difficult conditions. Archer dismissed Rishabh Pant early on day five, and Stokes followed with a key wicket of KL Rahul, who was looking settled on 39. Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Bumrah offered brief support, but England continued to chip away at the batting lineup, pushing India to 147 for 9.
India’s fightback had started from a strong bowling effort on day four. England’s second innings saw them dismissed for 192 after leading by an even 193. Washington Sundar was the pick of the Indian bowlers with 4 for 22, while Bumrah and Siraj chipped in with two wickets each. England’s total was built around contributions from Joe Root (40), Ben Stokes (33), and a steady fifth-wicket stand of 67 between the two.
Earlier in the match, both sides had posted identical scores of 387 in their first innings. England’s total was built on a century from Joe Root (104), along with valuable runs from Jamie Smith (51) and Brydon Carse (56). Jasprit Bumrah stood out for India with a superb 5-wicket haul, surpassing Kapil Dev’s record for the most five-wicket hauls by an Indian in away Tests.
India’s reply featured a masterclass from KL Rahul, who notched up a century (100 in 177 balls) at the iconic venue, and a flamboyant 74 from Rishabh Pant. Jadeja’s 72 and lower-order resistance from Nitish Kumar and Sundar allowed India to match England’s first-innings total.
The match was a rollercoaster from start to finish, with both teams exchanging blows across all five days. Indian skipper Shubman Gill, speaking after the game, expressed pride in the team’s performance but acknowledged that better application in key moments could have changed the result. He noted that one or two partnerships at the top could have turned the tide in India’s favor. Gill also praised Jadeja’s composure and efforts with the tail, saying the experienced all-rounder needed no instructions.
Gill hinted that Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness for the next Test would be confirmed soon, though he did not provide specific details.
England’s victory was driven by a combined bowling effort and clutch performances with the bat in both innings. Ben Stokes, who contributed with scores of 44 and 33 and claimed five wickets across the two innings, was named Player of the Match.
Brief Scores:
- England 387 & 192 (Joe Root 40, Ben Stokes 33, Washington Sundar 4/22)
- India 387 & 170 (Ravindra Jadeja 61, KL Rahul 39, Ben Stokes 3/48).
- England won by 22 runs.
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