England vs India 3rd Test Day 5 Match Report: Jadeja’s Lone Stand in Vain as England Clinch Thriller at Lord’s

The iconic Lord’s cricket ground bore witness to one of the most thrilling finishes in recent memory, as England eked out a narrow 22-run victory in the England vs India 3rd Test.

Despite Ravindra Jadeja’s unbeaten 61 and an unrelenting lower-order resistance, the visitors fell short in a gripping finale that saw fortunes swing throughout the fifth day. England’s win gives them a 2-1 advantage in the ongoing England vs India Test series, heading into the crucial fourth encounter.

Morning Drama Unfolds as England Seize Momentum

Day 5 began with India needing 135 runs and six wickets in hand, resuming on 58 for 4. However, England wasted no time dismantling the top order. Rishabh Pant briefly lifted Indian hopes by cracking two boundaries off Jofra Archer, but the fiery pacer had the last laugh—sending Pant’s off-stump flying and following it up with an aggressive send-off.

Moments later, KL Rahul was adjudged LBW off Ben Stokes after a sharp nip-backer, thanks to a successful DRS review. Washington Sundar didn’t trouble the scorers either, falling to a reflexive low catch by Archer in his follow-through. India’s score slid to 82 for 7, and a chase that once seemed manageable was spiraling into chaos.

Jadeja-Reddy Resistance Offers a Ray of Hope

Faced with adversity, Jadeja once again proved why he’s India’s crisis man. Alongside debutant Nitish Reddy, he embarked on a cautious yet effective partnership. Their 30-run stand helped steady nerves and guided India to 112 before Reddy nicked one behind just before the Lunch break.

The England bowlers turned the screws with fielders closing in and constant chatter aimed at unsettling the batters. A heated exchange between Jadeja and Brydon Carse after a mid-pitch collision underlined the tension, but Ben Stokes quickly stepped in to defuse the situation.

Bumrah’s Dogged Defiance Lights Up Lord’s

With only the tail left, Jadeja shielded Jasprit Bumrah effectively while slowly chipping away at the target. The Indian supporters made themselves heard with every run, cheering even Bumrah’s stoic defense. His first run of the series came in style—an authoritative pull shot off Archer for four. That partnership added 35 critical runs as England began to sweat.

Jadeja reached his half-century in commanding fashion, lifting Woakes for a six over mid-wicket and igniting the crowd. Despite repeated short-pitched attacks, Bumrah resisted for 54 balls, frustrating England until he finally fell to a miscued pull off Stokes.

Final Blow: Bashir Ends India’s Brave Fight

Siraj walked in with a clear mission: survive. He endured multiple blows and celebrated Jadeja’s fifty with visible passion. The Indian dressing room watched with bated breath as the last pair inched closer to the target.

But the final twist was yet to come. England introduced spin with Shoaib Bashir, playing through an injured finger. Five overs into the final session, he breached Siraj’s defenses, bowling him for four and sparking jubilant celebrations. The England players rushed in, having secured a memorable win in the England vs India 3rd Test.

Root’s Class, Stokes’ Grit, Woakes’ Breakthroughs Key to England’s Win

Joe Root’s century in the first innings and a vital 40 in the second set the tone for England. Woakes and Archer shared six wickets each across both innings, while Stokes’ final-day bursts broke India’s backbone. Their combined effort ensured that India’s valiant comeback effort did not culminate in a heist.

India’s Lower Order Fights, But Top-Order Collapse Costs the Game

India’s batting lineup showed both resilience and recklessness. KL Rahul’s century and Pant’s 74 in the first innings gave them parity. But the final innings collapse, losing six wickets for 58 runs on Day 5, sealed their fate.

Jadeja’s unbeaten 61 and his tactical maneuvering with the tail were masterful, but it was not enough to change the outcome of the England vs India Test.

Match Scorecard Overview

With a gripping 22-run victory at Lord’s, England now lead the England vs India Test series 2-1. The momentum is firmly with the hosts, who will look to ride this wave into the fourth match. For India, the focus must shift to fixing the top-order inconsistencies and capitalizing on the lower-order resilience shown at Lord’s.

The fourth Test is scheduled to begin on July 23, following an eight-day rest period. The action will commence at 3:30 PM IST at the Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester. With two games remaining in the five-match series, both sides have everything to play for as the race for the series crown intensifies.

Read More: IPL: Varun Aaron Replaces James Franklin as SRH’s New Bowling Coach

FAQs