England vs India 3rd Test 2025, Day 3: Recap & Highlights

July 12, 2025

Day 3 of the third Test between India and England at Lord’s Cricket Ground, London, on July 12, 2025, delivered a captivating blend of resilience, drama, and tactical brilliance in the 2025–2027 ICC World Test Championship. With the series tied at 1-1, India fought back to level England’s first-innings total of 387, reaching 387/9, but England edged ahead with a 2-run lead by stumps. KL Rahul’s gritty century, fifties from Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja, and a crucial partnership between Jadeja and Washington Sundar kept India in the hunt, while England’s bowlers, led by Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes, struck late to maintain a slight advantage. This blog recaps the key moments, performances, and insights from Day 3, featuring quotes from commentators and key players, sourced from live updates and post-match reports.

Day 3 Recap

Day 3 at Lord’s was a battle of attrition, with India’s batsmen showing resolve to match England’s first-innings score, only for England to claw back with late wickets. The slow Lord’s pitch, offering occasional turn and pace, tested both teams, while lingering tensions from the Day 2 ball change controversy and Shubman Gill’s gestures at England openers added spice to the proceedings.

Morning Session: Rahul and Pant Anchor India

India resumed at 145/3, trailing by 242 runs, with KL Rahul (53*) and Rishabh Pant (19*) at the crease. Despite Pant’s finger injury, the duo started positively, with Rahul reaching his fifty early. Pant, battling discomfort, played aggressively, hitting a six to reach his fifty before a mix-up led to his run-out, dismissed by a direct hit from Ben Stokes. India reached 220/4 at lunch, with Rahul on 82* and Ravindra Jadeja joining him, trailing by 167 runs. Jofra Archer’s fiery spell, clocking over 90mph, tested India’s batsmen, but Rahul’s composure kept them steady India Today.

Afternoon Session: Rahul’s Century and England’s New Ball

Post-lunch, Rahul reached his century, a masterclass in patience, but England struck back with the new ball. Shoaib Bashir, despite a possible finger injury from a Jadeja drive, bowled bravely, while Archer and Chris Woakes applied pressure. Rahul fell to Woakes, caught by Jamie Smith, and Nitish Kumar Reddy (30 off 91) was dismissed by Stokes, leaving India at 326/5, trailing by 61 runs. Jadeja reached his fifty with a trademark sword celebration, and his 50-run partnership with Washington Sundar frustrated England, taking India to 334/6 at tea, trailing by 53 runs NDTV Sports.

Evening Session: Dramatic Finish and England’s Edge

The final session saw India level the scores, with Jadeja (72) and Sundar (20*) battling England’s relentless attack. However, Woakes dismissed Jadeja, and Stokes removed Jasprit Bumrah (0), leaving India at 387/9, matching England’s total. England’s bowlers, aided by the new ball, took a 2-run lead as Akash Deep (0*) and Sundar held firm at stumps. The session was marked by drama, including Shubman Gill’s verbal exchange with England openers over time-wasting tactics, adding to the ball change controversy from Day 2. India’s lower order resilience kept them in the game, but England’s late strikes gave them a slight advantage The Indian Express.

Key Performances

KL Rahul (100): His century was a cornerstone of India’s fightback, showcasing grit on a challenging pitch before falling to Woakes India Today.
Ravindra Jadeja (72): Scored his third consecutive fifty, forming a crucial 50-run stand with Sundar to keep India competitive NDTV Sports.
Rishabh Pant (50): Battled through injury to score a vital fifty, including a six, before a run-out ended his innings The Indian Express.
Jofra Archer: His fiery spell with the new ball, clocking over 90mph, troubled India’s batsmen, setting the tone for England’s fightback India Today.
Ben Stokes: Took key wickets, including Reddy, and led England’s charge, though visibly frustrated by India’s resilience NDTV Sports.

Challenges

Rishabh Pant’s Injury: Pant’s finger injury continued to hamper him, with Dhruv Jurel substituting as keeper. His status for Day 4 remains uncertain NDTV Sports.
Shoaib Bashir’s Injury: Bashir’s possible finger dislocation from a Jadeja drive could limit England’s spin options India Today.
Ball Change Controversy: Tensions from Day 2’s ball change persisted, with India questioning the umpires’ decisions, adding to the match’s intensity The Indian Express.
Gill’s Gestures: Shubman Gill’s verbal attack on England openers for time-wasting tactics sparked controversy, reflecting India’s frustration NDTV Sports.

Key Commentary Quotes

Commentator	Platform	Statement
Sanjay Manjrekar	India Today	“KL Rahul’s hundred is a masterclass in Test batting—patience and precision on a tough Lord’s pitch.”
Nasser Hussain	The Indian Express	“This Jadeja-Sundar stand has genuinely knocked the stuffing out of England in the final session.”
Ravi Shastri	NDTV Sports	“Pure cinema at Lord’s—Rahul’s ton, Pant’s fight, and that late drama with Stokes’ wickets!”
Mike Atherton	The Guardian	“England’s late strikes give them the edge, but India’s fightback shows why this series is so tight.”

Commentary Analysis

Sanjay Manjrekar on Rahul’s Century: Manjrekar’s praise highlights Rahul’s disciplined approach, drawing parallels to his 2021 Lord’s ton, crucial for India’s fightback India Today.
Nasser Hussain on Jadeja-Sundar: Hussain’s comment underscores the impact of the Jadeja-Sundar partnership, which frustrated England and kept India in contention The Indian Express.
Ravi Shastri on Day’s Drama: Shastri’s enthusiastic remark captures the day’s intensity, from Rahul’s century to Pant’s run-out and England’s late wickets NDTV Sports.
Mike Atherton on Match Balance: Atherton’s analysis reflects England’s slight advantage after late strikes, while acknowledging India’s resilience in leveling the scores The Guardian.

Key Player Quotes

Player	Platform	Statement
KL Rahul	India Today	“It’s about staying focused on this pitch. We fought hard to level the scores, and we’re still in it.”
Ben Stokes	The Guardian	“That new ball gave us a chance to fight back. We’re just ahead, but it’s anyone’s game.”
Ravindra Jadeja	NDTV Sports	“We just wanted to keep England out there as long as possible. The fight’s not over.”
Shubman Gill	The Indian Express	“We’re not here to waste time. We’re here to play and win.”

Player Quote Analysis

KL Rahul’s Resolve: Rahul’s post-match comment emphasizes his focus on navigating the tough Lord’s pitch, reflecting India’s determination to stay competitive India Today.
Ben Stokes on Momentum: Stokes’ statement highlights England’s late fightback with the new ball, acknowledging the tight contest despite their 2-run lead The Guardian.
Ravindra Jadeja’s Strategy: Jadeja’s remark underscores India’s tactic to tire out England’s bowlers, with his partnership with Sundar keeping India in the game NDTV Sports.
Shubman Gill’s Defiance: Gill’s comment, addressing his gestures at England openers, reflects India’s aggressive mindset and frustration with time-wasting tactics The Indian Express.

Match Situation at Stumps

At stumps on Day 3, India were 387/9, having matched England’s first-innings total of 387, with Washington Sundar (20*) and Akash Deep (0*) at the crease. England took a 2-run lead after late wickets, including Rahul’s and Jadeja’s, giving them a slight edge. The match remains delicately poised, with India needing to dismiss England quickly in their second innings to set a manageable target, while England will aim to build a substantial lead.

Looking Ahead to Day 4

Day 4 promises intense cricket, with England holding a marginal advantage but India still in contention. India’s bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah, will need to strike early to limit England’s lead, while England’s pacers, particularly Archer, will look to exploit the pitch’s assistance. The fitness of Rishabh Pant and Shoaib Bashir remains a concern, and the outcome of the ball change controversy could influence team morale. With the series tied at 1-1, both teams are poised for a crucial day at the Home of Cricket.

Conclusion

Day 3 of the India vs England 3rd Test at Lord’s was a thrilling contest, with KL Rahul’s century and Ravindra Jadeja’s fifty anchoring India’s fightback, only for England’s late strikes to secure a 2-run lead. Commentators like Sanjay Manjrekar and Ravi Shastri captured the day’s drama, while players like Rahul and Stokes highlighted the match’s intensity. The Jadeja-Sundar partnership and Gill’s fiery gestures added to the narrative, setting the stage for a pivotal Day 4. As the series hangs in the balance, cricket fans can expect more high-stakes action at Lord’s.

Citations:

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