IND vs ENG: England Bowlers Hold Nerve in Lord’s Test Thriller, Take 2-Run Lead at Stumps on Day 3
England’s bowlers held their nerve to ensure India did not gain a first-innings lead at Lord’s on Day 3 of the riveting third Test, as the visitors were bowled out for exactly 387—matching England’s first-innings total. Despite India’s strong middle-order resistance, particularly from KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja, the Three Lions secured a slender two-run lead by stumps and ended the day on 2/0 with Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett at the crease.
The day began with India in a strong position, but England chipped away steadily. KL Rahul, resuming overnight, reached his second century of the series and second at Lord’s. His 100 off 177 deliveries was a composed, fluent effort filled with classic strokes, including three consecutive fours off Brydon Carse. Rahul celebrated the milestone with a wide grin and raised bat to the applauding Lord’s crowd, but his joy was short-lived. In the very next over, he fell to Shoaib Bashir, edging a flighted delivery to Harry Brook in the slips.
Also Read:
Rishabh Pant had earlier played a counter-attacking knock of 74 from 112 balls, hitting eight fours and two sixes. His partnership with Rahul added stability after early wickets, and he too brought up his half-century with an aggressive six off Ben Stokes. Just before lunch, however, Pant was run out by a superb direct hit from the England skipper, a moment that shifted momentum back toward the hosts.
Ravindra Jadeja and Nitish Kumar Reddy tried to rebuild in the post-lunch session, frustrating England’s bowlers with patient resistance. The pair survived several close run-out chances, with Ollie Pope and Ben Duckett missing the stumps during moments of miscommunication between the Indian batters. Reddy was eventually dismissed for 30, but not before stitching together a valuable 72-run stand with Jadeja.
Jadeja reached a gritty half-century and pushed India closer to England’s total, but England’s bowlers struck again at the right time. Chris Woakes removed the all-rounder for 72, who had struck eight boundaries and a six during his 131-ball stay. Washington Sundar, who chipped in with 23, was the last man out as India folded for 387. Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah were dismissed cheaply, ensuring England avoided conceding a lead.
Chris Woakes was the standout bowler with figures of 3 for 84 from 27 disciplined overs, including five maidens. Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes took two wickets each, while Carse and Bashir added one apiece. Bashir also left the field briefly after suffering a finger injury when Jadeja hit one straight back at him, with Joe Root finishing his over.
England had earlier posted the same score of 387 in their first innings, built around a century from Joe Root and valuable contributions from Ollie Pope (44), Brydon Carse (52), and Jamie Smith (51). Jasprit Bumrah had starred with the ball for India, claiming a five-wicket haul, while Siraj and Nitish Kumar Reddy took two each.
Brief Scores:
- England 387 & 2/0 (Zak Crawley 2*, Ben Duckett 0*)
- India 387 (KL Rahul 100, Rishabh Pant 74; Chris Woakes 3/84, Jofra Archer 2/52)
Read all the Breaking News Live on pakistantimes.com and Get Latest English News & Updates from Pakistan Times. Follow us on Whatsapp channel for more.
