England edge India in a Lord’s epic
Test cricket reminded everyone why it remains the sport’s ultimate stage, as England edged past India in a fiercely contested battle at Lord’s. The match had it all — momentum swings, verbal clashes, redemption arcs, and performances under pressure — culminating in a thrilling finish on Day 5.
The final over of Day 3 offered the first taste of the tension to come. As Zac Crawley and Ben Duckett slowed proceedings to ensure only one over was bowled before stumps, the atmosphere turned electric. Tempers flared. The drama was just beginning.
Both teams had posted identical first-innings totals of 387, setting up a rare and finely balanced Test. On Day 4, Washington Sundar turned the tide with a sensational 4 for 22, sparking a sudden English collapse. From a position of strength, England stumbled to 192 all out, giving India a target of 193 on a pitch beginning to misbehave.
The chase was anything but straightforward. England’s bowlers came hard, and emotions ran high. The key moment came early when Shubman Gill fell in a fiery spell — his dismissal igniting both England’s hopes and the crowd’s voice. His exit, both strategic and psychological, was a blow India never fully recovered from.
India’s biggest self-inflicted wound was their lack of discipline. Conceding 73 extras — against England’s 22 — proved decisive. In a game of tight margins, it was a telling difference.
KL Rahul once again stood out for his calm under fire. His 39 was compact, assured, and full of purpose. But support around him faltered against a relentless attack that gave little away.
The fairy-tale subplot belonged to Jofra Archer. After 1,596 days away from Test cricket, Archer returned with rhythm and menace. His early strikes with the new ball were crucial, and his presence elevated England’s attack. He was well supported by Ben Stokes, bowling with heart and hostility, and the reliable Chris Woakes-Brydon Carse pairing.
India’s final fight came through Ravindra Jadeja. His spirited 61, alongside a gritty stand with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, took the game deep into the fifth day. Their resistance kept Indian hopes flickering until the very end, but the target proved just out of reach.
England, to their credit, rose to the occasion. Their discipline, fielding, and refusal to relent under pressure won them the day.
India may still be the more complete team on paper, but it was England who seized the big moments.
This Lord’s Test was vintage drama — layered with tension, elevated by individual brilliance, and carried by the weight of context. When the cricket gods align players, pitch, and pressure just right, there’s nothing quite like it. Lord’s, once again, was the perfect theatre.
— The writer is a former captain of the Mumbai cricket team
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