London, July 15, 2025: In a nail-biting finish at Lord’s, England edged past India by 22 runs to win the third Test of the ongoing five-match series, taking a crucial 2–1 lead. Despite a gritty knock from all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and resistance from the lower order, India’s chase of 193 runs fell short as the visitors were bowled out for 170 in their second innings.
Post-Lunch Push Seals Victory for England
England’s persistence paid dividends in the second session on Day 5, as Jasprit Bumrah was dismissed by Ben Stokes shortly after lunch. Bumrah had initially offered resistance but fell while attempting an aggressive pull shot, leaving India nine down and reeling at 163.
Ravindra Jadeja, India’s lone beacon of hope, continued to hold fort at one end with strategic caution. He declined singles to shield the tail and rotated strike only when confident. However, Mohammed Siraj, after showing some resolve, was bowled by Shoaib Bashir in unfortunate fashion—the ball deflecting off the bat and trickling onto the stumps to seal India’s fate.
Jadeja’s Lone Stand: Fourth Consecutive Fifty
Ravindra Jadeja’s unbeaten 61 off 181 deliveries marked his fourth consecutive half-century in the series, underlining his consistency and tenacity. His knock included 4 boundaries and a six and was crafted with immense patience on a deteriorating surface. While wickets fell at the other end, Jadeja managed to stitch brief partnerships with the lower order and kept India in the hunt till the very end.
Top-Order Collapse Dampens India’s Chase
Resuming Day 5 at 58/4, India required 135 more runs with six wickets in hand. However, early inroads by the English pace battery dented India’s hopes. KL Rahul, after scoring 39, was trapped lbw by Ben Stokes following a successful DRS review. Rishabh Pant, who was battling a finger injury, added 9 quick runs before being bowled by Jofra Archer.
Karun Nair and Shubman Gill also fell cheaply in the morning session to the sharp bowling of Brydon Carse. From 58/4 to 112/8, India’s innings crumbled under pressure before Jadeja and Bumrah offered a sliver of hope.
Lower Order Resistance Not Enough
India’s lower order showed some resistance, particularly through Jasprit Bumrah (5 off 54 balls) and Nitish Reddy (13 off 53). However, they couldn’t form a long-lasting partnership with Jadeja to see India through. The inability of the tail to survive longer spells ultimately tilted the game in England’s favor.
Archer and Stokes Lead with the Ball
England’s bowling unit was led by Jofra Archer, who claimed 3 wickets, including the crucial dismissals of Pant and Washington Sundar. Ben Stokes picked up 3 wickets as well, using his experience and variety on a worn-out surface. Brydon Carse contributed with 2 key scalps, including Karun Nair and Shubman Gill.
Series Scoreline: England 2 – India 1
With this result, England go up 2–1 in the five-Test series. The match served as another reminder of the depth and grit in both teams, with fluctuating momentum and intense battles across all sessions. The fourth Test is now set up as a must-win for India, who will be hoping to bounce back and level the series.
Score Summary: India 2nd Innings
| Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ravindra Jadeja* | 61* | 181 | 4 | 1 | 33.7 |
| KL Rahul | 39 | 58 | 6 | 0 | 67.24 |
| Nitish Reddy | 13 | 53 | 1 | 0 | 24.53 |
| Karun Nair | 14 | 33 | 1 | 0 | 42.42 |
| Bumrah | 5 | 54 | 1 | 0 | 9.26 |
| Others | Remaining players scored in single digits or ducks | ||||
| Total | 170 all out (74.5 overs) | ||||
| Target | 193 runs |
