England secured a dramatic 22-run victory over India in the third Test at Lord’s, taking a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. Set a challenging target of 193, India were bowled out for 170 on the final day, despite a valiant 61 not out from Ravindra Jadeja.
The match turned into an exhilarating thriller as India, at 147-9, still required 46 more runs to win when the last pair, Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Siraj, came together. The duo fought hard, playing through to after tea, but despite their resistance, Siraj was dismissed off Shoaib Bashir’s off-spin, leaving Jadeja stranded on 61 not out.
Ben Stokes played a pivotal role for England, with a brilliant 3-48, while Jofra Archer made a stunning return to Test cricket, claiming 3-55 in his first Test appearance after over four years due to injury. Both bowlers, along with a disciplined fielding effort, kept the pressure on India, ultimately leading to their defeat.
India’s innings were in turmoil from the start of the final day. After a sluggish 71-4, India’s collapse continued as they fell to 82-7, with Archer’s sharp catches and Stokes’ relentless bowling breaking down the batting line-up. Despite a spirited 35-run partnership between Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah, India’s chances were dimmed, and the final wicket fell with Jadeja still at the crease.
Earlier in the match, both teams had scored 387 runs in their first innings, setting up a tight contest. England posted a modest 192 in their second innings before India’s chase faltered under intense pressure. Despite Bumrah’s resistance with the ball in England’s first innings, India could not recover from the early setbacks.
The match highlighted individual brilliance, especially from Jadeja, who registered his fourth consecutive fifty in the series, but the final blow came when Siraj was dismissed, ending India’s hopes of a remarkable comeback.
