England Thrilling Victory Over India at Lords: A Test Match Classic.
On July 14, 2025, England clinched a heart-pounding 22-run victory over India in the third Test at Lord’s, taking a 2-1 lead in their five-match series.
Chasing a target of 193, India fell short at 170, with Ravindra Jadeja’s valiant 61 not out nearly pulling off a miraculous win. The match, marked by dramatic twists and standout performances from England’s Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer, showcased the intensity of Test cricket at its finest.
This article breaks down the key moments, standout players, and what this win means for England’s series hopes.
A Nail-Biting Finish at Lord’s
The final day at Lord’s was a rollercoaster of emotions as India, needing 193 to win, fought valiantly to keep their hopes alive. At 147-9, with 46 runs still required, India seemed down and out.
But Jadeja, the all-rounder in scintillating form, and last man Mohammed Siraj refused to give up. Their gritty partnership stretched past tea, delaying England’s victory and raising Indian hopes of a rare triumph at Lord’s, where they’ve won only four of 20 Tests.
The tension peaked when Siraj, battling bravely, was struck on the shoulder by a fiery Jofra Archer delivery. Moments later, off-spinner Shoaib Bashir, who had been sidelined earlier with a finger injury, delivered the decisive blow. Siraj played onto his stumps, dislodging the leg bail, and India’s innings ended at 170.
Jadeja was left stranded on 61 not out, his fourth consecutive fifty in the series, having come agonizingly close to steering India to a stunning victory. The Lord’s crowd erupted as England sealed a memorable win, highlighting the drama and resilience that define Test cricket.
Stokes and Archer Lead England’s Charge
England’s victory was powered by captain Ben Stokes and fast bowler Jofra Archer, who returned to Test cricket after a four-year injury hiatus. Stokes, leading from the front, bowled two marathon spells on the final day, finishing with 3-48.
His key wicket was Jasprit Bumrah, whose stubborn 54-ball resistance ended with a top-edged pull caught by substitute fielder Sam Cook at mid-on. Stokes also dismissed nightwatchman Akash Deep on day four, setting the tone for India’s collapse.
Archer, playing his first Test since 2021, was electric, clocking speeds over 90 mph and taking 3-55. His dismissal of Rishabh Pant, bowled by a searing full-length delivery that clipped the top of off stump, was a turning point.
Archer also removed Washington Sundar with a sharp one-handed catch off his own bowling, reducing India to 82-7. His return to Lord’s, where he starred in England’s 2019 World Cup final, was a personal triumph, proving his enduring class despite years of injury setbacks.
India’s Fightback and Jadeja’s Heroics
India’s chase began shakily, slumping to 58-4 by the end of day four after Stokes dismissed Deep. On Monday, the slide continued as India lost three wickets for 11 runs, collapsing to 82-7.
KL Rahul, fresh off a first-innings century, was expected to anchor the innings but fell for 39, lbw to Stokes on review. Pant’s brief aggression—a charging drive for four off Archer—was snuffed out by a brilliant delivery, leaving India reeling.
Jadeja, however, refused to surrender. Partnered with Bumrah, the world’s top-ranked Test bowler with a batting average of just 6.77, he forged a defiant 35-run stand over 22 overs.
Bumrah, defying his reputation for low scores, contributed five runs, including a confident pulled four off Archer. Jadeja, overturning an lbw decision on 26, smashed a massive six off Chris Woakes and reached his fifty with a stylish cut off Stokes.
His 61 not out off 150 balls, with four fours and a six, kept India in the fight until Siraj’s dismissal ended their hopes.
A Balanced Battle: The Road to the Win
The match was a tale of two evenly matched first innings, with both teams scoring 387. England’s second innings of 192 set India a challenging but achievable target.
India’s top order struggled early, and despite Jadeja’s heroics, England’s bowlers maintained relentless pressure. Bumrah, who took 5-74 in England’s first innings, showed his value with the ball but couldn’t replicate it with the bat.
England’s strategic bowling changes and Archer’s pace proved too much, turning the game decisively in their favor.The victory gives England a 2-1 series lead after India’s dominant 336-run win in the second Test at Edgbaston. With two Tests remaining, the series is poised for a thrilling conclusion.
England’s ability to bounce back after their loss showcases their resilience under Stokes’ leadership, while India will look to Jadeja’s form and Bumrah’s bowling to level the score.
What’s Next for England and India?
England’s win at Lord’s is a morale booster, with Stokes and Archer proving their mettle in high-pressure situations. Archer’s return adds firepower to England’s attack, while Stokes’ all-round leadership strengthens their campaign.
Social media buzzed with praise, with posts on X calling Stokes “a warrior” and Archer “a game-changer.” However, fans also lauded Jadeja’s grit, with one user noting, “Jadeja almost stole it for India—pure class.
”For India, the loss stings, but Jadeja’s consistency and Bumrah’s bowling offer hope. The team will need to regroup, with Rahul and Pant expected to step up in the fourth Test. The series, now a tight contest, promises more drama as both teams vie for supremacy.
England’s triumph at Lord’s, sealed by Bashir’s final wicket, will be remembered as a classic, but the battle is far from over.
