IND Vs ENG, 3rd Test: Indian Batting Falters As England Pulls Off Dramatic 22-Run Victory At Lord's, Take 2-1 Series Lead
England secured a hard-fought 22-run victory over India in the third Test at Lord’s, gaining a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. In a contest that swung back and forth across four days, the home side held their nerve on the final day, with their bowlers delivering a clinical performance to bowl India out for 170.
After winning the toss and opting to bat first, England posted a strong total of 387 in their first innings. Joe Root led the charge with a composed century, scoring 104 off 199 balls. He was well supported by Jamie Smith, who struck a confident half-century on debut, and Brydon Carse, who added another fifty to bolster England's innings. Jasprit Bumrah was the standout for India with the ball, claiming 5 wickets for 74 runs and consistently troubling the English batters with his pace and precision.
In reply, India matched England’s total with a fighting 387 of their own. KL Rahul starred with a patient and elegant century, scoring 100 runs and anchoring the innings. Rishabh Pant provided valuable support with an aggressive 74 that kept the momentum going. Chris Woakes was the pick of the English bowlers, finishing with figures of 3 for 84, while the rest of the attack chipped in with timely breakthroughs to prevent India from taking a decisive lead.
The match remained finely balanced as England began their second innings, but the pitch had started to show signs of wear. England managed 192 runs, with Joe Root again top-scoring with 40 and skipper Ben Stokes contributing 33. Washington Sundar bowled impressively for India, taking 4 for 22 in a spell that rattled through England’s middle order and helped keep the target within reach for the visitors.
Set a target of 193 to win, India were expected to chase it down, but England’s bowlers had other plans. The Indian top order faltered under pressure, and wickets fell at regular intervals. Despite some brief resistance, the batting lineup crumbled, and India were bowled out for just 170. The disciplined English bowling attack shared the spoils, closing out the match with a dominant display on the final day.
This result gives England a 2-1 advantage in the series heading into the fourth Test. With the momentum now on their side, England will look to build on this win, while India will be left to regroup quickly as they face a must-win situation to keep the series alive. The fourth Test promises to be a high-stakes contest as both teams continue their intense battle for supremacy.
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