In a pulsating contest that had Lord’s buzzing on a Monday afternoon, England secured a thrilling 22-run victory over India to go 2-1 up in the five-match Test series. The game, a gripping spectacle of determination, resilience, and fine margins, once again underlined why Test cricket remains the purest and most dramatic form of the game.
Chasing a modest target of 193, India found itself in deep trouble before lunch, losing eight wickets with hardly any fight. But what followed was a dramatic fightback led by Ravindra Jadeja, who stood tall amidst the wreckage with an unbeaten 61 off 181 deliveries. His steely resolve, combined with a gritty 132-ball partnership alongside Jasprit Bumrah, had the English camp momentarily nervous.
As the ball softened and England’s bowlers reverted to traditional lines, Jadeja and Bumrah held firm, batting through most of the second session. The resistance, however, came to an end when Ben Stokes dismissed Bumrah with a short delivery that found its way to substitute fielder Sam Cook at mid-on. That dismissal cracked open the door for England, but Jadeja still refused to fold.
With the final wicket pair, Jadeja and Mohammed Siraj, stretching the game into the last session, tension soared inside the ground. Siraj focused on absorbing deliveries and allowed Jadeja to retain strike by rotating ends just once an over. While the plan frustrated the English bowlers, it also dried up the runs. Eventually, the pressure paid off as Shoaib Bashir bowled Siraj with a delivery that trickled onto the stumps, ending India’s valiant chase at 170.
Siraj walked off dejected, shaking his head in disbelief, as Stokes offered Jadeja a warm embrace, a rare gesture of mutual respect in what had been a fiercely fought match.
The groundwork for England’s win was laid earlier in the day. With three quick wickets late on Day 4, England sensed opportunity and went for the kill on the final morning. Stokes and Jofra Archer sliced through India’s middle-order, removing K.L. Rahul and Rishabh Pant in quick succession. Archer’s searing pace and Stokes’ clever seam movement dismantled India’s hopes, with only Jadeja left to mount a counter.
Despite falling short, Jadeja’s four-and-a-half-hour stand was a reminder of the grit and theatre Test cricket offers. England celebrated a hard-earned win, while India will rue the collapse, but not the fight.
