England secured a thrilling 22-run victory over India at Lord’s, taking a crucial 2-1 lead in what has been a fiercely contested five-match Test series.
England Clinches Tight Contest
The third Test at Lord’s concluded with England emerging victorious, despite a spirited late resistance from India. This win gives the hosts a significant advantage in the series with just two matches remaining.
The match was marked by intense on-field moments, living up to its billing as a ‘spicy’ encounter. Ultimately, England held their nerve to seal a hard-fought win on the final day.
India’s Valiant Resistance
India’s lower order, led by Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah, put up an impressive fight to keep their team in contention. Jadeja was the standout, notching an unbeaten 61 runs, showcasing remarkable resilience under immense pressure.
He batted alongside a fragile tail, bringing India within 30 runs of the 193-run victory target. Their partnership rekindled a glimmer of hope for the Indian side, who had looked all but defeated earlier in the day.
Early Morning Collapse for India
Day five began with India at 58 for four, chasing 193 runs on a challenging, deteriorating pitch. The early hours saw a rapid collapse as England’s pace attack, particularly Jofra Archer, proved too potent for India’s top order.
Key batters like Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul departed quickly, making the target seem increasingly out of reach. India’s inexperienced batting lineup struggled to cope with the variable bounce and pace.
Archer’s Impact and Jadeja’s Fight
Jofra Archer, making a significant Test comeback, was instrumental in England’s early breakthroughs. His pace and accuracy rattled the Indian batsmen, including a struggling Rishabh Pant, who was clearly hampered by a finger injury.
Despite the early setbacks, Ravindra Jadeja stood firm. This was his fourth consecutive half-century, a testament to his grit in a crisis. His efforts transformed what looked like an inevitable heavy defeat into a nail-biting finish.
The Final Blows
The resistance finally broke when Ben Stokes dismissed Jasprit Bumrah. From that point, England’s victory seemed assured. The final wicket fell when Shoaib Bashir bowled Mohammed Siraj, albeit in a somewhat anti-climactic fashion as the ball dislodged the bails after spinning behind Siraj’s bat.
This brought an end to an engrossing battle of attrition, leaving England to celebrate a crucial series lead.
- England won the third Test by 22 runs, taking a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
- Ravindra Jadeja scored an unbeaten 61 runs, leading India’s late fightback.
- Jofra Archer’s impactful bowling early on Day 5 played a crucial role for England.
With two Tests remaining, India will need to regroup quickly if they hope to turn the series around and salvage a result against a resurgent England side.
