England Clinches Lord’s Thriller Despite Ravindra Jadeja’s Resistance

Image Credit: BCCI

In what can only be described as a classic advertisement for Test cricket, England held their nerve to secure a tense 22-run victory over India at Lord’s, taking a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. The contest, played in front of a near-capacity crowd on a working Monday, had all the hallmarks of a riveting Test — skill, determination, drama, and heartbreak.

At the centre of India’s spirited resistance stood Ravindra Jadeja. The all-rounder remained unbeaten on 61, facing 181 balls, and struck four boundaries and a six in a valiant solo effort. Despite his unwavering focus, Jadeja could not guide India home as wickets fell around him.

Chasing 193 for victory, India collapsed to 111 for 8 by lunch on Day Five, leaving little hope for a turnaround. Yet, Jadeja, alongside Jasprit Bumrah, stitched together a defiant partnership that spanned 132 deliveries and spanned almost the entire second session. The duo frustrated the English attack with tight defence and clever rotation of strike, momentarily reigniting hope in the Indian camp.

Ben Stokes eventually ended the stand, tempting Bumrah with a short ball. The tailender took the bait, only to mistime a hook shot, sending a top edge safely into the hands of substitute fielder Sam Cook at mid-on.

Even after Bumrah’s dismissal, Jadeja did not relent. Partnering with Mohammed Siraj, he played out time with caution, shielding his partner and attempting to take the game deep into the final session. Siraj, for his part, held firm but the defensive strategy led to a significant drop in the scoring rate, adding to the mounting pressure.

The resistance finally came to an end when Shoaib Bashir managed to sneak one through Siraj’s defence, the ball taking an under-edge onto the stumps. The dismissal brought down the curtains on India’s innings and handed England a hard-fought win.

As Siraj trudged off, visibly disappointed, Stokes showed his class by walking over to Jadeja and embracing him — a moment of genuine sportsmanship in a contest that had witnessed flared tempers in previous days.

England’s route to victory had been paved earlier in the day by a fiery spell from Stokes and Jofra Archer. Resuming with three wickets already claimed late on Day Four, England seized the initiative with quick blows in the morning session.

India’s hopes rested heavily on K.L. Rahul and Rishabh Pant, but both fell early. Archer, after conceding a couple of boundaries, produced a beauty that sent Pant’s off-stump cartwheeling. The animated celebration that followed underlined the intensity of the moment.

Soon after, Stokes removed Rahul with a ball that nipped back in sharply. Though the initial appeal was turned down, the DRS confirmed it was hitting the stumps. The collapse continued with Washington Sundar being dismissed via a stunning one-handed return catch by Archer, reducing India to a precarious position.

Jadeja did find brief support from debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy, and together they brought the target within 100. However, Chris Woakes broke through by removing Nitish, leaving India’s lower order to face the music.

Despite the defeat, Jadeja’s valiant four-and-a-half-hour vigil at the crease earned plaudits from all quarters. But it was England who walked away with the honours — and with it, a crucial series lead heading into the fourth Test.