England’s thrilling victory at Lord’s captures the very essence of Test cricket.

If Test cricket ever needed another advertisement for its enduring allure, the third India England Test was exactly that — a contest that delivered drama, skill, and intensity across  all five days. It had everything a cricket fan could ask for: quality batting, sharp bowling,  tactical intrigue, moments of tension, and a few heated exchanges to spice things up. This  was a Test match that bordered on being complete — a showcase of why the longest  format remains the truest test of cricketing character. 

England eventually emerged victorious in this gripping encounter, but the game was evenly  poised for long stretches. Their victory was underpinned by smart decisions from the very  start. Opting to bat first on a surface that looked tricky but playable was a decision rooted  in sound judgement — especially given that recent toss calls have often gone against  them. This was the first sign that Ben Stokes, as captain, was tuned into the demands of  the occasion. 

The first innings of both sides barely had much between them, but the standout factor was  undoubtedly Stokes — both as a leader and an all-rounder. His captaincy was a near perfect display of balancing composure with assertiveness. He didn’t just lead through  strategy; he led by example, contributing with the bat, the ball, and even in the field. Stokes  was calm under pressure yet unwavering in his belief in the team’s processes — tactically  sharp, mentally resilient, and emotionally invested. Few captains can combine all of that,  but Stokes did so with aplomb throughout the match. 

Another hallmark of England’s approach was their calculated batting. In recent times,  England’s “Bazball” philosophy has often been associated with a relentless scoring rate,  sometimes bordering on recklessness. But in this Test, they showed a refreshing maturity  by respecting the conditions. There was no unnecessary attempt to force the pace early.  Instead, England focused on building a total that could keep them in the contest as the  pitch inevitably deteriorated. They found that middle ground between aggression and  caution, a balance they’ve sometimes lacked in previous games. 

With the ball, the return of Jofra Archer was transformative. He added an edge to England’s  bowling that has been missing — extra pace, hostility, and the ability to make things  happen even when the ball wasn’t talking much. That, combined with Stokes’ own efforts,  gave England the upper hand during critical phases, especially on the final day. 

A pivotal passage unfolded on the morning of Day 5 when Stokes threw the ball to Archer  despite Brydon Carse ending Day 4 on a high with a couple of wickets. That decision was 

decisive. Archer’s spell blew the game open, removing the dangerous Rishabh Pant and  Washington Sundar early. Then Stokes himself accounted for KL Rahul, who had been  India’s last major hope of resistance. From 58-4 overnight, India collapsed swiftly, losing  another three for not much more — a passage of play that confirmed England’s  ascendancy. 

For India, the defeat will sting because they had their moments, particularly in the first  innings. They lost the game largely because they failed to build on a strong first-innings  position and missed the chance to secure a substantial lead over England. A slightly bigger  first-innings total could have shifted the balance, especially on a pitch that offered variable  bounce as the game wore on. The batting unit will face some tough questions. I think they  will need to take a call on Karun Nair, whether to replace him or give him a longer rope.  

Shubman Gill, who had looked so compact in previous games, seemed a little uncertain at  the crease. But I feel he a mental reset, rather than a technical overhaul, will keep in good  stead going into the series. 

Similarly, while India’s spin options continue to revolve around Ravindra Jadeja and  Washington Sundar, the absence of Kuldeep Yadav remains a talking point. His wrist spin  could have added variety to India’s attack, particularly as the pitch aged. But with Sundar  doing a decent job, selectors might hesitate to tweak the combination. 

One area India will regret is the number of extras conceded, in a low-scoring contest, every  run matters, and those extras can sometimes tilt the game. Additionally, their batting frailty  in the second innings, especially under pressure, will be a concern heading into the next  Tests. 

The irony isn’t lost either: Jasprit Bumrah returned for this match, delivered a brilliant first innings spell to claim five wickets, and yet India lost. In the previous Test, Bumrah was  rested, and India managed to win. It just underscores the unpredictable nature of this  series and Test cricket in general. 

From a broader perspective, the result has set up the series beautifully. With the scoreline  close, both sides have plenty to reflect on and adjust before the next clashes at Old  Trafford and The Oval. England will take heart from their improved discipline and the form  of their key players. India, despite the defeat, will know they’ve been in positions to win all  three Tests so far, a testament to how finely matched these teams are. 

For India, learning from England’s tactical discipline, especially Stokes’ leadership, could  be vital. Gill and others in the Indian side, particularly those still maturing in Test cricket, 

would do well to observe how Stokes marshals his resources, both his players and his own  capabilities as an all-rounder. 

In the end, this was Test cricket at its absolute best. Every day had its own storyline, and  the final day delivered the decisive twist. The series is alive, the stakes are high, and both  teams now head into the remaining matches knowing there is little room for error. 

Cricket fans couldn’t ask for more — the India-England rivalry is delivering in full, and the  drama is far from over.