Ravindra Jadeja’s gritty 61 and India’s fighting lower order weren’t enough to avoid a heartbreaking 22-run defeat to England in the final session of the fifth day at Lord’s, as the hosts took a 2–1 lead in the five-match Test series.
Despite the visitors showing great resilience with the bat, especially from Jadeja and tailenders Siraj and Bumrah, India were bowled out for 170 chasing 193, handing England a narrow and dramatic victory.
Jadeja brought up his fourth-successive Test fifty, but it was a spinning delivery from Shoaib Bashir that crashed into Siraj’s stumps and shattered India’s hopes of what could’ve been a famous Lord’s chase.
Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah played out 84 balls for a 9-run partnership with Jadeja, showing immense grit but “it was not meant to be for the visitors.”
Earlier in the session, India had started at 163/9 with Jadeja on 56* and Siraj on 2*, needing 30 more. They saw off several threatening overs from Archer before Bashir finally broke through. India was all out for 170.
England’s bowling effort was led by Stokes (3/48), Archer (3/55), and Carse (2/30).
Morning Collapse Sets the Tone
India’s chase began on shaky ground. Starting from an overnight 58/4, India lost Rishabh Pant early for 9, bowled by Archer. Then, KL Rahul (39) was trapped lbw by a sharp nip-backer from Stokes after a successful DRS review.
Washington Sundar was dismissed for a duck, caught brilliantly off his own bowling by Archer. India fell to 82/7, and despite a brief partnership between Jadeja and Nitish Kumar Reddy (13), Woakes broke through before lunch. India was 112/8 at lunch.
Jadeja and Bumrah began the post-lunch grind, building a 35-run stand, frustrating the English bowlers. Bumrah hit a confident boundary and Jadeja a six, taking the deficit below 50. But Stokes returned to dismiss Bumrah (5 off 54), and India teetered at 147/9.
Still, Jadeja’s fight didn’t end, as he brought up his half-century in 150 balls, but the target remained just out of reach.
England’s 2nd Innings: A Spirited Fightback
Earlier, England were bundled out for 192 in their second innings. Mohammed Siraj and Bumrah made early dents, reducing the hosts to 50/3. Despite a counterattack from Brook (23) and a 67-run stand between Root (40) and Stokes (33), India clawed back through Sundar (4/22) and Bumrah (2/38).
India was set a modest 193 to chase—an achievable target, but one that proved too high under overcast skies and pressure.
India’s First Innings: Even-Stevens
India had earlier matched England’s first-innings total of 387, thanks to KL Rahul’s 100, Jadeja’s 72, and a solid effort by Rishabh Pant (74). Nitish Kumar Reddy and Sundar also chipped in with handy contributions.
England’s bowling was led by Woakes (3/84), Archer (2), and Stokes (2).
England’s First Innings: Root and Lower Order Shine
England’s 387 came on the back of Joe Root’s century (his 37th Test ton), with late-order fifties from Jamie Smith (51) and Brydon Carse (56). Bumrah’s spell was the highlight, taking 5/74 and overtaking Kapil Dev’s record for most five-fors in overseas Tests by an Indian.
A Test for the Ages
This Test at Lord’s will be remembered for its twists, fightbacks, and tense final day. With the series now at 2–1 in England’s favour, the stage is set for an electrifying fourth Test.
Brief Scores:
England: 387 & 192 (Root 40, Stokes 33; Sundar 4/22)
India: 387 & 170 (Jadeja 61, KL Rahul 39; Stokes 3/48, Archer 3/55)
England won by 22 runs.