England Edges India by 22 Runs in Thrilling Lord’s Test

England triumphed over India by 22 runs in a gripping finish to the third Test at Lord’s on March 25, 2024. The victory puts England ahead in the series with a score of 2-1. The match concluded dramatically with England’s fast bowler, Shoaib Bashir, dismissing India’s last batsman Mohammed Siraj for just four runs, sealing the win as Siraj’s defensive stroke led to his stumps being shattered.

The day was fraught with tension, culminating in wild celebrations from the England players as Indian batsman Ravindra Jadeja walked off the field. Jadeja had fought valiantly, finishing with an unbeaten 61 runs that brought India tantalizingly close to a remarkable comeback. “I probably bowled a few more overs than I thought I would, but I am glad to get the win today on this special day,” said England’s Jofra Archer. He added, “Honestly, I thought one of us would win by lunch. It dragged on a bit.”

Turning Point Moments

England’s path to victory, however, was not straightforward. After reducing India to a precarious 112-8 at lunch, the hosts seemed poised for a more comfortable win. Yet, Jadeja, alongside Jasprit Bumrah, mounted a resilient stand that lasted nearly two hours as they pushed towards a target of 193 runs. Jadeja survived a close lbw appeal against Chris Woakes, which was overturned upon review. He responded with a powerful six, igniting cheers from Indian fans in the stands.

The breakthrough for England came when Bumrah, attempting a pull shot off man-of-the-match Ben Stokes, was caught by substitute fielder Sam Cook. The crowd erupted with a mixture of joy and relief, but Jadeja continued to defy England’s bowling attack, reaching his half-century off 150 balls.

Siraj’s resistance was cut short after he faced 30 deliveries, scoring just four runs. A painful blow to his shoulder from an Archer delivery ultimately led to his dismissal, much to the disappointment of the Indian camp. “To make a comeback like this was tremendous from Ravindra Jadeja and the lower order,” said Indian captain Shubman Gill. He lamented, “It was an anti-climax for us the way Mohammed Siraj went. We needed a couple of partnerships in our top order and that didn’t happen for us.”

England’s Morning Dominance

On the final day, England had claimed four crucial wickets in the morning session, taking control after India resumed at 58-4. A strange one-handed straight drive from Rishabh Pant briefly distracted England, but Archer quickly responded with a delivery that uprooted Pant’s off stump. Stokes then dismissed KL Rahul leg before wicket for 39 runs after a successful review overturned the umpire’s initial decision, sending the crowd into raptures.

Archer continued to shine, taking a remarkable one-handed catch off his own bowling to dismiss Washington Sundar for a duck. Jadeja and Nitish Kumar Reddy offered resistance in a partnership that frustrated England for a time, but Woakes’s breakthrough just before lunch lifted the spirits of the home team.

With this victory at Lord’s, England has taken a significant step in the series, demonstrating their ability to maintain composure under pressure. The focus now shifts to the next match as both teams seek to assert their dominance in this thrilling contest.