The third Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series has turned into a dramatic second-innings showdown, with both England and India posting identical first innings totals of 387 at Lord’s.
India, resuming their reply to England’s score on Day 3, were denied a first innings lead due to a combination of an ill-timed run-out and a late collapse, which saw them lose their last four wickets for just 11 runs.
KL Rahul, restored to the top order, scored a patient century (100), while Rishabh Pant braved a painful finger injury to hammer 74 off 112 balls, and Ravindra Jadeja contributed a resilient 72, his second successive half-century. The trio formed the backbone of India’s innings, but their efforts were undone by some sharp English fielding and inspired bowling spells.
“I’m happy to be back opening. I’ve always enjoyed batting at the top of the order, right from my junior cricket days. It’s a place that feels natural to me, and I’m glad I could make the most of the opportunity.
Rahul and Pant put together a vital 141-run partnership for the third wicket, navigating a challenging phase of play. However, disaster struck on the last ball before lunch, when Pant was run out by a direct hit from Ben Stokes, trying to return the strike to Rahul, who was on 98 and chasing a hundred before the break. Pant’s dive fell just short as England erupted in celebration.
Rahul didn’t last long after the interval, falling to Shoaib Bashir for a well-crafted 100, caught by Harry Brook. The opener admitted the dismissals of both set batters were frustrating.
When two top-order batters get set, you want one or both to go big. That’s how you take control in a Test match. It was disappointing that we couldn’t convert more of the starts. That would’ve put us ahead.
At 254/5, India still trailed by 133. Jadeja and debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy added 72 vital runs, steadying the innings. But once Reddy fell, India’s tail unravelled, leaving them all out for 387 — the exact score England had posted.
With just a few minutes left in the day’s play, England ended at 2/0, but the closing moments were anything but calm. India’s players were visibly agitated as Zak Crawley repeatedly pulled away before facing Jasprit Bumrah, delaying the over. Skipper Shubman Gill exchanged heated words with Crawley, suspecting deliberate time-wasting. Crawley was then struck on the glove and summoned the physio, further fuelling tensions.
Chris Woakes (3/84) emerged as England’s most effective bowler, while Stokes’ run-out of Pant proved pivotal in restricting India’s progress. The match is finely poised heading into Day 4, with England holding a slender two-run lead and all to play for.
Brief Scores: England 387 and 2/0 in 1 over (Zak Crawley 2). India 387 in 119.2 overs (KL Rahul 100, Rishabh Pant 74, Ravindra Jadeja 72; Chris Woakes 3-84, Jofra Archer 2-52).
