Summary:
The iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground witnessed yet another historic contest as England edged past India by 22 runs in the 3rd Test of the five-match series. From Jofra Archer’s fiery comeback to Ravindra Jadeja’s gritty resistance, this match had everything — drama, tension, and a nail-biting finish. England now leads the series 2–1, setting the stage for a blockbuster finish in the final two Tests.
🏟️ Match Overview
Venue: Lord’s, London
Dates: July 10–14, 2025
Result: England won by 22 runs
Series Status: England leads 2–1
🔥 Key Highlights
- Jadeja’s Lion-Hearted Stand Falls Short
India’s chase of 193 began with early setbacks, collapsing to 58/4 by the end of Day 4. Despite this, Ravindra Jadeja stood tall with an unbeaten half-century (60*), marshalling the lower order and almost pulling off an improbable win. He was once again India’s rock under pressure.
- Archer’s Fiery Return to Test Cricket
Jofra Archer returned to the Test arena after over four years and made a massive impact. His lethal spell broke the back of India’s batting in both innings, finishing with a five-wicket haul and igniting the crowd with raw pace and aggressive celebrations — which may now draw scrutiny from match officials.
- England’s Grit in the Second Innings
After a first-innings deadlock (both teams scoring 387), England posted a modest 192 in the second innings. Yet, the bowling unit, led by Archer, Ben Stokes, and Brydon Carse, showed why Lord’s is still their fortress. Key late wickets on Day 4 shifted momentum England’s way.
- Tense Final Day Finish
India needed 135 runs on the final day with six wickets in hand. Jadeja, Bumrah, and Siraj brought the chase to within 22 runs. But England held their nerve, removing Siraj to clinch victory in dramatic fashion just after the tea break.
- Verbal Duels and Mental Warfare
Tensions flared when Ben Duckett took a swipe at Shubman Gill’s form, saying: “600 runs and he is done.” With the series heating up, mind games between the sides are intensifying — a reminder of how psychological battles can shape outcomes in closely fought Tests.
đź“Š Match Scorecard Snapshot
England 1st Innings: 387
India 1st Innings: 387
England 2nd Innings: 192
India 2nd Innings: 171 (target: 193)
🧠Key Performers
Player Performance
Ravindra Jadeja 56* & 60*, led India’s batting effort
Jofra Archer 5 wickets, returned with fiery pace
Ben Stokes Key middle-order runs & pressure wickets
Washington Sundar 4/22 in England’s 2nd innings
Brydon Carse Crucial Day 4 breakthroughs
📅 What’s Next?
The series heads into its final stretch with two Tests remaining:
4th Test: Old Trafford, July 23–27
5th Test: The Oval, July 31–August 4
Can India bounce back and level the series? Or will England seal the deal early with a win in Manchester?
đź“ť Final Thoughts
The 3rd Test at Lord’s reaffirmed why Test cricket remains the purest and most thrilling form of the game. For India, the loss is bitter but not without positives — Jadeja’s calm under pressure and Bumrah’s leadership still shine through. For England, Archer’s return could be a game-changer going forward.
Stay tuned — the best is yet to come.