London, July 14, 2025 – In a nail-biting finish at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground, England beat India by 22 runs in the third Test of the five-match series, taking a 2-1 lead. Chasing a target of 193 runs, India were bowled out for 170 despite Ravindra Jadeja’s valiant unbeaten 61.
England’s victory was powered by a disciplined bowling attack, with Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer picking up three wickets each. The final blow was dealt by young spinner Shoaib Bashir, who bowled Mohammed Siraj to seal the dramatic win late on Day 5.
Match Summary: IND vs ENG 3rd Test Day 5 Highlights
- Venue: Lord’s Cricket Ground, London
- Result: England won by 22 runs
- Series Score: England leads 2-1
- Top Performers:
- Ravindra Jadeja – 61* (India)
- Ben Stokes – 3 wickets
- Jofra Archer – 3 wickets
- Shoaib Bashir – 2 wickets, including the final scalp
India’s Batting Collapse: A Familiar Tale
Despite a modest target of 193, India’s batting unit crumbled under pressure once again in the fourth innings. The pitch had eased up, but disciplined bowling and smart captaincy from Stokes kept the Indian batters on the backfoot.
Key Wicket Moments
- Rishabh Pant was cleaned up by Jofra Archer early in the morning session with a peach that clipped off-stump.
- KL Rahul, who was expected to anchor the chase, was trapped LBW by Stokes after a DRS review.
- Washington Sundar, one of India’s best players on Day 4, fell to a loose drive off Archer.
Jadeja’s Heroic Knock in Vain
Ravindra Jadeja, batting with the tail, showed great temperament and composure. His unbeaten 61 was a masterclass in counter-attacking cricket, but he lacked support from the other end.
Jadeja’s Impactful Innings:
- Held the innings together after India were reduced to 112/8 before lunch.
- Batted for over two hours with the lower order.
- Played a smart blend of defense and timely aggression.
- Couldn’t rotate strike enough with Bumrah and Siraj, slowing the chase.
India vs England 3rd Test: Bowling Brilliance by England
Ben Stokes – Captain Leading from the Front
Ben Stokes bowled long spells with short-ball tactics, troubling the tailenders and picking key wickets, including KL Rahul and Bumrah.
Jofra Archer Returns to Form
Archer’s fiery pace and movement rattled India’s middle-order. His dismissal of Pant was a turning point in the day’s play.
Shoaib Bashir’s Comeback
Despite struggling with injury, the young spinner came back and bowled with control. His wicket of Siraj in the final minutes was the moment England clinched the game.
Turning Points of the Match
- Nitish Reddy’s dismissal before lunch shifted momentum to England.
- Jasprit Bumrah’s 2-hour resistance gave India hope but ended with a reckless pull shot.
- Siraj’s dismissal by Bashir sealed the fate of the game.
Expert Reactions on IND vs ENG 3rd Test
Kumar Sangakkara on Sky Sports
“India’s batting approach was a bit negative. They had a chance but didn’t show enough intent during key moments of the chase.”
Anil Kumble on JioHotstar
“KL Rahul was the key man. Once he got out, it became extremely difficult for India.”
R Ashwin on Umpiring
Ashwin criticized umpire Paul Reiffel for poor decision-making throughout the match, calling for review by the ICC.
India’s Strategy Under the Scanner
Despite a promising bowling performance on Day 4, India failed to show proactive intent during the chase. Coach Gautam Gambhir’s decision to go with a long batting lineup backfired, as top-order batsmen couldn’t build partnerships.
Concerns for India:
- Over-reliance on Jadeja and lower-order to rescue collapses.
- Inconsistency in middle-order contributions.
- Strategic errors in handling England’s short-ball plan.
Series Update: England Lead 2-1
With two more Tests to go, England now hold the advantage with a 2-1 series lead. They had earlier won the 1st Test at Headingley, while India bounced back in Edgbaston. The 4th Test will now be a must-win for India to stay alive in the series.
What’s Next: IND vs ENG 4th Test Preview
- Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
- Dates: July 19–23, 2025
- India’s Likely Changes:
- Possible inclusion of a specialist batter in place of Sundar.
- Kuldeep Yadav might return as a spin option.
- Pressure mounts on openers and middle-order to deliver.
Final Thoughts: A Classic Lord’s Test Ends in Heartbreak for India
This Lord’s Test match will go down as one of the most tightly-contested thrillers between India and England. While India showed character with the ball and in patches during the chase, the inability to handle scoreboard pressure in the fourth innings cost them dearly.
As the series now shifts to Manchester, the focus will be on India’s batting unit, and how captain Shubman Gill rallies his young side to make a comeback.
