India vs England 3rd Test Jadeja and KL Rahul’s Heroics Not Enough
In what turned out to be one of the most fiercely contested matches of the series, India succumbed to a 22-run defeat at the hands of England in the 3rd Test at Lord’s. Despite a resolute 61 by Ravindra Jadeja* and a technically astute century by KL Rahul in the first innings, India couldn’t withstand the disciplined English attack in the final innings. With this loss, England now lead the five-match series 2-1, placing India under significant pressure ahead of the 4th Test at Old Trafford.
India vs England 3rd Test Match Summary & Key Stats
Venue: Lord’s Cricket Ground, London
Result: England beat India by 22 runs
Series: England lead the 5-match series 2-1
Top Performers:
Ravindra Jadeja: 61* (181 balls) in 4th innings
KL Rahul: 102 (1st innings), 39 (2nd innings)
Joe Root: 104 (1st innings for England)
Ben Stokes: 3/48 (24 overs), captaincy brilliance
Jofra Archer: 4/57 across both innings
India began the fourth innings with a realistic chase of 193, but consistent breakthroughs by England’s seamers sealed their fate. Despite Jadeja’s resistance and Rahul’s dual contributions, the batting unit collectively faltered under pressure.
📰 Match report – The Guardian: England hold nerve in thrilling finish
England’s Tactical Edge
While Lord’s offered a fairly balanced surface, Ben Stokes and his pace-heavy bowling attack executed a well-planned short-ball strategy. Stokes’s decision to maintain attacking field placements with two slips and a gully reaped rewards. Reverse swing came into play on Day 5, disrupting India’s lower order.
Jofra Archer, back in the side after an injury layoff, showed why he’s such a game-changer. His pace, length variation, and ability to extract bounce led to crucial wickets including Pant and Sundar. Even Shoaib Bashir, nursing a wrist niggle, returned to dismiss the final Indian batter and seal the win.
India’s Inconsistent Middle Order
India’s downfall was largely triggered by a middle-order collapse. Once again, Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant threw away starts with poorly judged aggressive strokes. Shubman Gill’s inability to adapt to English conditions showed again as he failed to convert his start in both innings.
Even with KL Rahul playing with confidence and technique, his 39 in the second innings lacked meaningful partnerships. The collapse from 82/2 to 98/7 exposed the mental and technical gaps in India’s batting against quality pace.
First Innings Battle: Evenly Matched
Both teams posted identical first innings totals: 387 all out.
KL Rahul’s 102 off 238 deliveries stood out as a blend of patience and precision, soaking up England’s relentless seam attack. His calm presence set the tone for India.
However, England’s tailenders, especially Ollie Robinson and Mark Wood, turned the tide with a 63-run partnership for the 9th wicket. Their late resistance proved decisive, nullifying India’s early advantage.
Jadeja’s Defensive Excellence
Ravindra Jadeja’s 61 in the 4th innings* was a display of temperament and grit. Facing 181 balls, he played each delivery on merit, carefully shielding the tail and refusing to buckle.
He now averages 42.8 in 4th innings overseas — remarkable for a player once viewed as a utility all-rounder. His calm under fire gave India a glimmer of hope till the final few overs.
What Went Wrong for India
Lack of Partnerships: Only two 40+ stands in the second innings.
Poor Shot Selection: Gill and Pant fell to avoidable strokes.
Momentum Loss: Despite a 15-run first innings lead, India lost grip quickly.
Underuse of Ashwin: Conservative use on a Day 4–5 surface didn’t pay off.
Series Impact and What’s Next
England’s win gives them a 2-1 lead heading into the 4th Test at Old Trafford, where conditions usually favour seam and bounce.
India’s Adjustments:
Bring in Hanuma Vihari or a specialist middle-order batter.
Rework Gill and Iyer’s defensive game.
Use Ashwin more aggressively from the 2nd innings onward.
England’s Edge:
Momentum, home conditions, and player form.
Root’s consistency and Stokes’s impact leadership.
Archer’s comeback firing on all cylinders.
Individual Player Watch
| Player | Performance Snapshot |
|---|---|
| KL Rahul | 102 (1st inns), 39 (2nd inns) – composed and consistent |
| Jadeja | 61* (4th inns), 1 wicket – reliable under pressure |
| Joe Root | 104 (1st inns) – steadying influence |
| Stokes | 3 wickets, clutch field settings and bowling decisions |
| Archer | 4 wickets, pace-driven breakthroughs |
Statistical Nuggets
KL Rahul’s century was his 7th in Tests, 3rd away from home.
Ravindra Jadeja’s 4th innings average now sits at 42.8.
India has lost 5 of their last 6 chases under 200 runs away from home.
England has now won 4 of their last 5 Tests at Lord’s.
Final Takeaway
The India vs England 3rd Test was a high-pressure contest that tested resilience and temperament. While Jadeja and KL Rahul stood tall, the Indian batting lineup collectively underperformed.
England, powered by tactical execution, player fitness, and squad depth, now control the series. For India, the task is to bounce back quickly—and decisively—if they are to stay in the hunt.
📆 Next Test: Old Trafford, July 23, 2025
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