LONDON – In a captivating finale at Lord’s, England edged out India by 22 runs on the final day of the third Test, taking a 2–1 lead in the five-match series following an intense, back-and-forth clash .
🏏 Jadeja’s Heroic Fightback
Set a target of 193, India appeared destined to falter early, collapsing to 112/8 by lunch. But Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah rallied with resilience and grit. Jadeja—bowling arm aching from his all-round efforts—undauntedly posted an unbeaten 61 from 181 deliveries, pushing India tantalisingly close to victory.
A moment of drama arrived when Jadeja was given out LBW, only for the decision to be overturned on review. He immediately responded with a powerful six over mid‑wicket, prompting cheers from both Indian fans and Lord’s crowd.
Despite extending the match into the final sessions, India couldn’t complete the chase. In the decisive over, Shoaib Bashir bowled Mohammed Siraj, whose defensive shot drifted onto the stumps—sealing the win for England.
🎯 England’s Bowling Tenacity
England’s bowlers held their nerve under pressure. Captain Ben Stokes, supported by a strong return from Jofra Archer and critical wickets from Brydon Carse and Chris Woakes, broke the resilient lower-order stand early in the day.
🏁 Series Implications & Player Accolades
- England now lead the series 2–1, placing pressure on India for the upcoming fourth Test at Old Trafford.
- Ben Stokes earned the Player of the Match with an all-round performance: key wickets, a crucial captaincy display, and timely runs.
- Shoaib Bashir, who claimed the decisive wicket, later revealed a fractured finger sustained during the match.
- India’s top order were below par, but Jadeja and Bumrah’s comeback is being hailed as “true Test grit” by skipper Shubman Gill.
🔍 Summary
| Key Moment | Outcome |
| Jadeja’s 61* off 181 | Brought India from bleak position |
| Bashir’s final wicket | Decided victory |
| England’s bowlers | Held steady under pressure |
This nail-biting contest underlines the high stakes and quality of this Test series. With England edging ahead, the battle now shifts north to Manchester, where India will seek redemption and justice for a match that slipped away in agonising fashion.
