India lost by 22 runs at Lord’s in the third Test against England, coming up horribly short. India demonstrated perseverance in chasing 193 for victory, particularly through Ravindra Jadeja and the tail-enders, but eventually surrendered in under pressure. India had bowled effectively earlier to keep the match alive, but they squandered key opportunities.
Despite some superb play, the Shubman Gill-led Indian squad was unable to exploit their chances in either innings. Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer, two of England’s greatest bowlers, capitalised on mistakes. Finally, the Test match was defined by the visitors’ missed opportunities.
Here are top 3 moments where India lost 3rd Test vs England
1. Failing to take lead in the first innings
India had the perfect platform to put up a massive total after bowling England out for 387, but poor batting meant they only managed to score 387, losing the potential to seize the lead. Even a slender advantage of 70-100 runs would have given the tourists complete control, forcing England to play catch-up.
Rather, the Ben Stokes-led side was able to agree on terms and modify their strategy, knowing that India will bat on the final two days of the game. India’s inability to take the lead proved to be a game-changing moment in this thrilling encounter. These additional 70-100 runs would have given India a huge advantage, dramatically shifting the equation in the fourth innings.
2. India’s top order fails in the second innings
Chasing 193 in the second innings on late Day 4 and again on the last day on the uneven Lord’s ground was never going to be simple. However, the powerful Indian batting lineup had everything it needed to make it there. However, poor shot selection by Yashasvi Jaiswal and Karun Nair, combined with superb bowling by Brydon Carse and Ben Stokes, resulted in India’s top order being dismissed for 58 runs.
Things became worse on day five when KL Rahul was dismissed for 39 and Rishabh Pant, who was in form, was also bowled cheaply. If not for Ravindra Jadeja’s unbroken 61 and some outstanding resistance from Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, India could have lost by more than 22 runs. The chase could have been conceivable with a consistent start from the top order, but India’s lack of partnerships proved to be their undoing.
3. Rishabh Pant’s run-out in the first innings
After India lost three wickets early on, Pant and Rahul combined for 141 runs. It appeared that the two would go to lunch unbeaten on the third day of the match, but a minor lapse in judgement from Pant and Rahul’s desperation to get his hundred cost India badly. Ben Stokes’ direct hit caught the southpaw short of the crease as he took a fast single.
This meant that India’s momentum, created on Pant’s (74) and Rahul’s (100), was lost. This had a knock-on effect, as Rahul was out shortly after achieving his century. India would have fallen short of England’s 387 if Ravindra Jadeja had not scored 72 and been assisted by Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar.
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