The third Test of the ongoing series between India and England at Lord’s has delivered a thrilling contest, as the fans have witnessed high-quality performances from both batters and bowlers. It has also marked the much-anticipated return of pace aces Jofra Archer and Jasprit Bumrah. Unlike the previous Tests on flatter tracks, the Lord’s pitch offered a fair contest, giving seamers something to work with, and they certainly made it count.
India’s bowlers gave their all in England’s first innings. Despite a sublime century from Joe Root and gritty half-centuries by Jamie Smith and Brydon Carse lower down the order, the visitors managed to keep England to 387. It was an effort of persistence and discipline from the Indian bowling unit, who kept chipping away despite England’s fightback.
ALSO READ: Fans React to Karun Nair’s Continued Failures As Calls For His Exclusion Grow Louder
In response, India matched England’s total with some fine batting of their own. KL Rahul marked his love affair with Lord’s with a second century at the venue. At the same time, valuable fifties from Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja helped India reach 387, levelling the scores and keeping the Test on even terms heading into the second innings.
England, having deviated from their usual Bazball aggression, looked to bat time in the second innings. But India’s bowlers struck early — Siraj, debutant Akash Deep, and the impressive Nitish Reddy did the early damage. Washington Sundar dominated the post-lunch session, and Bumrah cleaned up the tail, setting India a target of 193.
WATCH – Anderson Phillip’s Spectacular Catch Sends Travis Head Packing in Third Test Thriller
A light-hearted moment lit up the day when Bumrah, fielding near the boundary, was asked by a fan, “Jasprit, I want a wicket.” Bumrah, with a playful grin, gestured for the fan to take the ball himself, triggering laughter and chants from the stands. He delivered on the request soon after, picking up Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse to complete a seven-wicket match haul.
View this post on Instagram
India, though, has a job on hand. At stumps on Day 4, they were 58/4, still needing 135 runs. KL Rahul remains unbeaten on 33\* and is once again India’s key man. He’ll need support from Rishabh Pant, Jadeja, Reddy, and Washington Sundar on the final day. Should India chase down the target, it will be their fourth Test victory at Lord’s, and Shubman Gill will join the elite list of Indian captains to win at the historic ground.
