Lord’s Drama: England Edges India in Third Test Thriller

England Clinches Lord’s Thriller: A Series-Defining Battle

The 2025 Test series between England and India has been an absolute cracker, with passion and skill on full display. After a gripping third Test at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground, England has emerged victorious by a mere 22 runs, giving them a 2-1 lead in this captivating five-match series.

The Series So Far: A See-Saw Battle

The tour began on June 20, 2025, in Leeds. India batted first, putting up a strong total of 471 runs in their initial innings. England, in response, scored 465.

In the second innings, India declared at 364, setting England a target of 371. Despite the challenging chase, England successfully reached 373 for 5 wickets to win the first Test by 5 wickets.

India Dominates the Second Test

Next, the teams moved to Birmingham for the second Test, starting on July 2, 2025. Here, India demonstrated their dominance.

They posted a massive 587 runs in their first innings, followed by a declaration at 427 for 6 wickets in their second. England struggled to match India’s scoring, being bowled out for 407 and then 271. India skillfully leveled the series by winning by a dominating 336 runs.

Lord’s Delivers Unforgettable Drama

The third Test, played at the iconic Lord’s from July 10 to 14, 2025, was truly a spectacle. Interestingly, both teams scored 387 runs in their respective first innings, setting the stage for a remarkably tight contest.

England was then dismissed for 192 in their second innings, leaving India with a target of 193 runs for victory. However, India fell agonizingly short, managing only 170 runs. Therefore, England won by 22 runs in a dramatic finish, taking a 2-1 lead in the series.

Third Test Scorecard: England vs India at Lord’s

Here’s a breakdown of the scores from the thrilling third Test:

Result: England won by 22 runs.

The Nerve-Wracking Final Day

Day five at Lord’s was a true test of nerves. India began needing 135 runs for victory, while England required six wickets. When play began after lunch, the audience was glued to their seats, and the mood was electrifying.

Stokes’ All-Round Brilliance Leads England

England’s captain, Ben Stokes, was truly phenomenal. He was deservedly named Player of the Match for his outstanding all-round contribution, which included 77 runs and 5 wickets across the match.

Stokes’ leadership and relentless bowling spells, even battling through a groin injury scare from day one, were instrumental. He pushed himself to the limit, bowling extended spells, and secured the crucial wicket of Jasprit Bumrah, bringing England within one dismissal of winning.

Archer and Woakes Provide Key Support

Jofra Archer was also a key figure for England, consistently bowling at high speeds, often between 88 and 90 mph. He notably clean bowled Rishabh Pant with a “ripper” and took a superb one-handed diving catch to dismiss Washington Sundar.

Chris Woakes contributed significantly, picking up the vital wicket of Nitish Kumar Reddy just before lunch on Day 5. The home team made a significant breakthrough with this.

Bashir Bowls the Winning Ball

The final, dramatic wicket of Mohammed Siraj came off the bowling of Shoaib Bashir, whose delivery unluckily trickled back onto the stumps.

Bashir, despite nursing a finger injury from Day 3, was brought back into the attack and delivered the series-defining blow, making his contribution even more remarkable.

India’s Brave, But Ultimately Heartbreaking, Fight

India’s chase was a testament to their fighting spirit, particularly their lower order. After a challenging first session that saw them at 112/8, the team mounted a “heroic resistance.”

Ravindra Jadeja was the unwavering backbone of their effort, scoring an unbeaten 61 runs off 181 balls, his second half-century of the match. He attempted to guide the tail-enders.

Even hitting a six off Woakes and a boundary off Stokes, though he refrained from celebrating, showing the immense pressure he felt.

Tail-End Resilience and Moments of Conflict

Jadeja was admirably supported by the tail. Jasprit Bumrah, despite being a bowler first, displayed exceptional patience and defensive skill, batting for 54 balls for his 5 runs and enduring fierce spells from England’s quicks.

The 22-run partnership between Jadeja and Bumrah was particularly frustrating for England. Mohammed Siraj also put up a brave fight, batting for 30 balls and even surviving a “nasty short delivery” from Archer before his unfortunate dismissal.

There were several tense moments and intense competition during the game. A notable collision between Brydon Carse and Ravindra Jadeja led to a brief confrontation that Stokes had to defuse.

Siraj was even penalized by the ICC for an aggressive celebration towards Ben Duckett on Day 4. The slow scoring rate by India, particularly after lunch on Day 5, built immense tension, keeping fans on the edge of their seats until the very end.

Conclusion

This Lord’s Test will undoubtedly be remembered as a classic. England’s perseverance, combined with their sharp fielding and tactical brilliance from their captain, ultimately secured the win.

While India suffered “heartbreak” after their valiant effort, their lower-order resistance was truly commendable. With the series now at 2-1, two more exhilarating Tests are scheduled: the fourth at Manchester from July 23 to 27, and the fifth at The Oval from July 31 to August 4. Cricket fans around the world are eagerly anticipating the thrilling conclusion to this captivating series.

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