England held their nerve to win the third Test at Lord’s by 22 runs, taking a crucial 2–1 lead in the five-match series against India. The game, filled with dramatic twists and individual brilliance, ended in a tense finale as India’s lower order nearly pulled off a stunning comeback.
On the final day, India began with hopes of chasing down 231 runs, having already made a positive start the previous evening. However, England’s pace attack, led by Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer, came out firing. The top and middle order faltered early, with wickets tumbling regularly. By lunch, India were reeling at 112 for 8, and the match seemed all but over.
But Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah had other ideas. The pair staged a defiant stand that brought India within touching distance of an improbable victory. Jadeja, in particular, showed incredible poise under pressure, anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 61. As India crept closer to the target, tension mounted in the packed Lord’s stadium.
Just when it looked like the match might slip from England’s grasp, Shoaib Bashir delivered the final blow. Bowling to Mohammed Siraj, he breached the batter’s defense to spark wild celebrations. The win was England’s most thrilling of the series, and arguably one of their most hard-fought Test victories at home in recent years.
The performance of Ben Stokes was central to England’s triumph. Making a comeback after months of injury and rehabilitation, he contributed with both bat and ball. His two steady innings, combined with five wickets in the second innings—including the prized scalp of Rishabh Pant—earned him the Player of the Match award. Stokes also effected Pant’s run-out at a crucial moment, a turning point that shifted the match’s momentum.
Jofra Archer, too, made a statement in his long-awaited return to Test cricket. Bowling with consistent pace and menace, he picked up five wickets in the match and unsettled India’s top order. His raw pace and energy were reminiscent of his Ashes debut in 2019, and his presence gave England an added edge.
From India’s perspective, the result was a missed opportunity. KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Jadeja all played significant roles with the bat, while Bumrah and Siraj were effective with the ball. However, lapses in concentration—like Pant’s run-out and Karun Nair’s early dismissal in the second innings—proved costly. The top order failed to provide a solid foundation, and those early setbacks left too much work for the lower order.
Captain Shubman Gill reflected on the loss, noting that key moments were not seized and praised England for their ability to capitalize on even the smallest opportunities. He emphasized the need for better temperament and sharper decision-making under pressure.
With the fourth Test set to be played in Manchester, India will have to regroup quickly. England, buoyed by this dramatic win, will look to maintain momentum and aim to seal the series early. As the series continues to deliver edge-of-the-seat action, both sides now know that the smallest margins can make the biggest difference.