New Delhi [India], July 16: Following India’s heartbreaking defeat to England in the third Test at Lord’s, former India head coach Ravi Shastri dissected the critical moments that swung the game in England’s favour. England edged out India by 22 runs in a thrilling encounter to go 2-1 up in the five-match ICC World Test Championship series.
Despite both teams posting identical first-innings scores of 387, England’s pace attack, led by Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes, orchestrated a stunning collapse on Day 4 and Day 5 to bowl India out for 170 in a chase of 193, despite a valiant fight from Ravindra Jadeja.
Shastri’s Key Turning Points
Speaking on The ICC Review, Shastri said:
“The turning point for me in this Test match was, first of all, Rishabh Pant’s dismissal [in the first innings].”
Pant was dismissed for 74 by a moment of brilliance from Ben Stokes just before lunch on Day 3 — a key moment that Shastri believes tilted momentum.
Shastri also criticised Karun Nair’s lapse in concentration in India’s second innings:
“At 40/1, to leave a straight ball like that was a huge error. It opened the door for England.”
He praised India’s lower order — Siraj, Bumrah, and Jadeja — for fighting back and nearly pulling off the chase, noting how well they defended once the ball got older.
“With just a bit more resilience from the top order, the game could have been India’s.”
England Seized Crucial Moments
While acknowledging India’s missed chances, Shastri was quick to credit England:
“You have to compliment England. When they saw an opening, they didn’t just step through it — they smashed the door down.”
He hailed Ben Stokes for his decisive spells with the ball:
“Stokes bowling 8-10 over spells back-to-back was heroic. He saved fuel for Lord’s, and used it perfectly.”
Comparison to 2021 Lord’s Test
Drawing parallels to India’s historic 2021 win at Lord’s, Shastri said:
“That Test had a similar storyline — 300-odd scores and then a collapse. In 2021, India won. This time, it was England.”
Shastri believes India have played well enough to possibly be 3-0 up in the series, but missed opportunities and moments of bad luck have held them back.
“It’s been riveting stuff. India can still bounce back, and if they do, the final Test at The Oval will be a thriller.”
What’s Next?
The action now shifts to Manchester for the fourth Test, with India looking to level the series and England aiming to seal it.