England vs India 3rd Test 2025: A Thrilling Encounter at Lord’s

The third Test of the 2025–2027 ICC World Test Championship at Lord’s Cricket Ground, London, from July 10–14, 2025, was a captivating display of Test cricket’s intensity, culminating in England’s 22-run victory over India. With the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series tied at 1-1 after India’s triumph at Edgbaston, this match saw both teams deliver exceptional performances, marred by controversies over ball changes and on-field tensions. England’s disciplined bowling and India’s resilient batting, led by Ravindra Jadeja’s unbeaten 61, defined a match that kept fans on edge until the final ball. This blog provides a comprehensive summary, detailed analysis, and sentiments, concluding with quotes from famous cricketers and commentators, supported by verified sources.

Match Summary

The third Test was a tightly contested affair, with both teams finishing their first innings at 387, only the ninth instance of level first-innings scores in Test history. England, batting first after winning the toss, were bowled out for 387, anchored by Joe Root’s 104 and fifties from Brydon Carse and Jamie Smith. Jasprit Bumrah’s 5-74 led India’s bowling. India’s reply matched England’s total, driven by KL Rahul’s 100, Rishabh Pant’s 74, and Ravindra Jadeja’s 72, but Chris Woakes’ 3-84 triggered a late collapse. England’s second innings yielded 192, with Washington Sundar’s 4-22 proving pivotal. India, chasing 193, slumped to 58/4 by Day 4 and were bowled out for 170 on Day 5, with Jadeja’s 61* in vain. Ben Stokes, with 44, 2/63, 33, and 3/48, earned Player of the Match, giving England a 2-1 series lead.

Day-by-Day Breakdown

• Day 1 (July 10): England won the toss and reached 251/4, with Joe Root unbeaten on 99 and Ben Stokes on 39*. Nitish Kumar Reddy’s debut double strike (Duckett and Crawley) gave India early breakthroughs, but Root’s composure and a dropped catch by Shubman Gill kept England strong.
• Day 2 (July 11): Root completed his 37th Test century (104), but Bumrah’s fiery 5-74, including a three-wicket burst, bowled England out for 387. India replied with 145/3, led by Rahul’s 53*, despite Jofra Archer’s early dismissal of Yashasvi Jaiswal. A ball change controversy sparked tensions.
• Day 3 (July 12): India matched England’s 387, with Rahul’s 100, Pant’s 74, and Jadeja’s 72, but lost 4-11 late to Woakes. England, batting again, ended at 2/0, leading by 2 runs. Gill’s verbal spat with Zak Crawley over time-wasting added drama.
• Day 4 (July 13): Sundar’s 4-22 and Siraj’s strikes bowled England out for 192, setting India a target of 193. India stumbled to 58/4, with Rahul (33*) and Jadeja at the crease, needing 135 runs. England’s pacers, led by Brydon Carse, regained momentum.
• Day 5 (July 14): India collapsed to 170, with Jadeja’s 61* offering resistance. Stokes (3-48) dismissed Rahul (39), and Shoaib Bashir, despite a finger injury, took the final wicket of Siraj, securing England’s 22-run win.

Detailed Analysis

Key Performances

• Joe Root (England): Root’s 104 in the first innings was a masterclass, anchoring England’s total on a slow pitch. His 40 in the second innings and record-breaking 211th Test catch (surpassing Rahul Dravid) highlighted his all-round impact.
• Ben Stokes (England): Stokes’ all-round brilliance—44 and 33 with the bat, 2/63 and 3/48 with the ball—earned him Player of the Match. His 44 overs, the third-most in a Test for him, showcased his endurance despite a groin scare.
• KL Rahul (India): Rahul’s 100 in the first innings was a gritty effort, stabilizing India’s reply. His 39 in the chase was crucial but ended in an lbw dismissal, a turning point.
• Ravindra Jadeja (India): Jadeja’s 72 in the first innings and unbeaten 61 in the second, alongside bowling contributions, made him India’s standout. His fourth 50+ score in both innings at Lord’s matched Vinoo Mankad’s record.
• Jasprit Bumrah (India): Bumrah’s 5-74 in England’s first innings, including Root and Stokes, earned him a place on the Lord’s honours board. His leadership kept India competitive.
• Washington Sundar (India): Sundar’s 4-22 in England’s second innings triggered a collapse, giving India a fighting chance in the chase.

Turning Points

• Bumrah’s Day 2 Burst: Bumrah’s three wickets in seven balls on Day 2, dismissing Root, Stokes, and Woakes, shifted momentum, restricting England to 387.
• Pant’s Run-Out (Day 3): Stokes’ direct hit to dismiss Pant (74) before lunch on Day 3 disrupted India’s momentum, leading to a late collapse from 376/6 to 387.
• Sundar’s Spin (Day 4): Sundar’s 4-22, including Root and Jamie Smith, bowled England out for 192, setting a chaseable target of 193.
• India’s Day 5 Collapse: Losing three wickets in the first hour of Day 5, including Rahul and Pant, derailed India’s chase, making England’s victory inevitable.
• Bashir’s Final Wicket: Bashir’s dismissal of Siraj, despite a finger injury, sealed England’s win in the fifth over after tea on Day 5.

Controversies

• Ball Change Dispute: India’s objections to multiple ball changes, starting on Day 2, led to heated exchanges, with Gill and Siraj questioning umpires. The new ball’s swing favored England’s pacers late in India’s chase.
• Gill’s Outburst: Gill’s verbal spat with Zak Crawley over time-wasting on Day 3 drew criticism from Jonathan Trott, who felt it set a poor tone for a captain.
• Siraj’s Send-Off: Siraj’s aggressive send-off to Ben Duckett on Day 4 resulted in a 15% match fee fine, adding to the match’s feisty atmosphere.

Statistical Highlights

• Level First Innings: Both teams scoring 387 marked the ninth instance in Test history of identical first-innings totals.
• Root’s Fielding Record: Root’s 211th Test catch broke Rahul Dravid’s record for a non-wicketkeeper.
• Jadeja’s Milestone: Jadeja became the fourth Indian with 50+ scores in both innings at Lord’s, alongside Vinoo Mankad.
• Stokes’ Record: Stokes earned his fourth Player of the Match award at Lord’s, the most by any player.
• Lowest Defended Total: England’s defense of 193 ranks fourth among the lowest totals defended at Lord’s.

Sentiments

The third Test was a celebration of Test cricket’s unpredictability, with momentum swings, individual brilliance, and fiery exchanges. England’s victory was a testament to their resilience, particularly Stokes’ leadership and Bashir’s courage despite injury. India’s fight, led by Jadeja’s defiance and Rahul’s grit, earned admiration, though missed opportunities, like dropped catches and Pant’s run-out, proved costly. The sportsmanship displayed post-match, with England players acknowledging Jadeja and Siraj, echoed the 2005 Edgbaston spirit, balancing the match’s intensity with mutual respect. Fans and experts hailed the game as one of the finest Tests in recent memory, showcasing the format’s enduring appeal.

Quotes from Famous Cricketers and Commentators

Name	Role	Quote
Nasser Hussain	Commentator/Ex-Cricketer	“This will be a tough one for India to take. If we had those pie charts up about who has won sessions in this series, they have won so many sessions. They have played so much good cricket. But they are 2-1 down because of the key moments—little collapses, dropped catches, Pant’s run-out here at Lord’s. India need a break.”
Nasser Hussain	Commentator/Ex-Cricketer	“That was a great advert for five-day Test cricket. It was hard-fought, at times feisty, but in the end played within the spirit of the game. Jadeja and the India tailenders showed so much character and fight, they did not deserve to be on the losing side.”
Dinesh Karthik	Commentator/Ex-Cricketer	“If you are going to judge the match based on what happened today, you are looking at the wrong side. You have got to look at 376/6 in the first innings to 387 all out. The catch that KL Rahul dropped, Jamie Smith on five. Those are the conversations you need to have.”
Dinesh Karthik	Commentator/Ex-Cricketer	“I really enjoyed Ravindra Jadeja at the end. He was running out of partners but still had the mental resilience to keep going over after over. The attitude of Bumrah and Siraj is also one to learn from for all of India cricket.”
Ben Stokes	England Captain	“I have taken myself to some pretty dark places before. But look, bowling to win a Test match, if that doesn’t get you excited, I don’t know what does.”
Shubman Gill	India Captain	“We didn’t bat well in the last hour yesterday and the first hour today. One or two 50-run partnerships could’ve changed the game.”
Ravindra Jadeja	India All-Rounder	“I tried to keep us in the chase, but losing wickets early hurt us. We’ll fight back in the next Test.”
Jofra Archer	England Bowler	“The pitch gave us enough, and we just had to keep hitting the right areas. Great team effort.”

Conclusion

The third Test at Lord’s was a thrilling chapter in the 2025 India vs England series, with England’s 22-run victory showcasing their ability to seize key moments. India’s resilience, particularly Jadeja’s heroics, kept the match alive until the final over, but critical errors proved decisive. The controversies added spice, yet the mutual respect displayed post-match highlighted Test cricket’s spirit. With England leading 2-1, the series heads to Old Trafford for the fourth Test, promising more high-stakes drama in this enthralling contest.

By the Paceyard Team
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