Ravindra Jadeja (61*) played a crucial role in India’s determined lower-order resistance, which endured for more than a session. However, England secured a hard-fought 2-1 series lead with a narrow 22-run victory over India at Lord’s. Following a brief collapse of 3 wickets for 11 runs at the start of the fifth morning, Jadeja formed two resilient partnerships – 30 runs with Nitish Reddy and 35 runs with Jasprit Bumrah – to keep India barely afloat until the final session. Nevertheless, Chris Woakes and Ben Stokes managed to break through those tenacious stands just before Lunch and Tea, respectively, putting England on the verge of successfully defending a target of 192.
Indian middle order underperforms yet again
In truth, the morning collapse represented a continuation of England’s extraordinary comeback, initiated by Brydon Carse late on Day 4. Despite losing 3 wickets for just 17 runs in the closing moments of play yesterday – which included their in-form captain and the nightwatchman – India resumed their innings at 58 for 4, needing an additional 135 runs to win. However, Jofra Archer and Stokes dramatically altered the course of the game during their extended morning spells.
After Rishabh Pant struck Archer for two boundaries, Archer responded by uprooting the Indian’s off-stump and followed it up with a send-off. Stokes then dismissed KL Rahul LBW with a nip-backer. Although initially given not out on the field, Stokes opted to review the decision, which was confirmed when ball-tracking displayed three reds. In the very next over, Archer executed a stunning low one-handed catch in his follow-through to dismiss Washington Sundar off his own bowling before the all-rounder could even score. The collapse of 3 wickets for just 11 runs within four overs left India reeling at 82 for 7.
At this juncture, Reddy partnered with Jadeja in an effort to rescue India from a precarious situation. The duo focused on the task at hand, gradually constructing a partnership that reduced India’s deficit to below 100 by the drinks break. Following a series of communication errors during their partnership in the first innings, the last-recognized batting pair demonstrated significant improvement in their calling and running as the game reached a critical point.
Even though India went without a boundary for an 80-ball stretch since Pant’s two boundaries, there was no lack of excitement. The fielders within the ring were consistently vocal, attempting to provoke a mistake from the batters, particularly Reddy. While attempting a quick two, Jadeja collided with Carse, leading to a heated exchange of words between the two, which Stokes intervened to defuse just as it seemed to escalate.
Reddy largely impressed with his solid defence to frustrate England for nearly an hour but Woakes struck at the stroke of Lunch to put his team in the driver’s seat. The all-rounder nicked off on 13 to leave India at 112 for 8, still needing 81 more while England’s chances at gaining that series lead looked far more realistic.
Ravindra Jadeja fights it through till the end
Fending with the tail, Jadeja opted to test England’s patience. Despite their team being in a precarious situation, the Indian supporters at Lord’s made their presence known by cheering for every run Jadeja scored and each time Bumrah stepped up in defense. They erupted in joy when Bumrah, after facing nine dot balls, finally opened his account for the series by confidently pulling Archer over mid-wicket for four runs. When the ball-tracking indicated that the impact was outside off as Jadeja challenged the LBW decision against Woakes, a chorus of boos ensued. He then charged at Woakes the very next ball and sent it over mid-wicket for a maximum, once again inviting loud cheers.
Jadeja went above and beyond, deliberately avoiding easy single opportunities to protect Bumrah from facing the deliveries, while the Indian spearhead remained steadfast in defense. The next run off Bumrah’s bat came only after 41 deliveries, as he played the perfect supporting role to the all-rounder. Stokes continued to bowl short in an attempt to bounce him out, and Bumrah did have a few near misses. Ultimately, it was a short ball from the English captain that tempted him into a pull shot, ending his brave 54-ball struggle when Bumrah miscued and was out for five runs.
With only minutes remaining before Tea, the session was extended, but Mohammed Siraj came out with a similar determination – to keep England at bay. In doing so, he took blows to his hand, celebrated Jadeja’s fifty on his behalf, and nearly survived the spells from Carse and Stokes before finally scoring his first run after 19 deliveries. Jadeja, who achieved his fourth consecutive fifty of the series, reached this milestone with a risky four off Stokes but postponed his signature sword celebration for later.
However, that moment never arrived. England commenced the final session with spin, and it was Bashir, despite having an injured finger, who ultimately secured the final wicket they desperately needed. A disheartened Siraj stood in disbelief – bowled out for 4 runs off 30 balls – as England clinched a 22-run victory just five overs into the final session of a captivating Test.
SCORECARD: England 387 (Joe Root 104, Brydon Carse 56, Jamie Smith 51; Jasprit Bumrah 5-74) & 192 (Joe Root 40; Washington Sundar 4-22, Siraj 2-31) beat India 387 (KL Rahul 100, Rishabh Pant 74, Ravindra Jadeja 72; Chris Woakes 3-84, Jofra Archer 2-52) & 170 (Ravindra Jadeja 61*; Ben Stokes 3-48, Jofra Archer 3-55) by 22 runs