Cricket fans were treated to a classic at Lord’s, where Team India came agonizingly close to winning one of the most stunning Test wins in recent times. The Lord’s Test match India vs England was a rollercoaster ride all the way, with India falling just 22 runs short of history.
India began Day 5 on the defensive with just two wickets in hand and in excess of 100 runs to score. The odds against them were extremely high. Ravindra Jadeja, however, had other ideas.
He farmed the strike astutely, stitched rich alliances—first with Bumrah, then with Siraj—and took India to within touching distance of the target. Each run was like a punch back at the English bowlers. For a fleeting moment, it seemed like a miracle was being brewed at the Home of Cricket.
Jadeja: Warrior of the Match
If India had a player who reflected their spirit in this Test, it was Ravindra Jadeja. With half-centuries in both the innings, his all-round excellence was the standout figure in a bowler-dominated game. Jadeja remained calm and calculated when needed the most.
Four consecutive half-centuries in four innings—his form is not an added bonus, but a requirement for this Indian team.
England Hold Their Nerve
Even with the pressure, England never lost their bearings. Ben Stokes took charge with a persistent 9-over spell, while Archer and Woakes continued to nibble at India’s resistance. Archer’s employment of the short ball and Woakes’ astute trap for Nitish Reddy proved pivotal in turning the tide.
It wasn’t skill alone—it was discipline, strategy, and dealing with pressure that got the better of them.
Tactical Hiccups for India
Even though the battle back was courageous, there were some choices that cost dearly. Washington Sundar’s promotion over a scheduled Nitish Reddy broke the flow. Sundar was lost cheaply, which sparked a collapse that restored the initiative to England.
Pant’s early fall and the failure of the remaining four wickets for a mere 11 runs ruined hopes for a fairy-tale ending.
Siraj's Tears Tell the Story
Mohammed Siraj resisted valiantly but fell in unhappy fashion—bowled by a ball that just caught the stumps and very slightly disturbed the bails. His shocked, tearful response told the tale. This was not merely a game for him—it was a dream shattered in inches.
Even England’s players hurried in to comfort him, a poignant reminder of the sportsmanship that distinguishes Test cricket.
In spite of defeat, India won hearts. The Lord’s Test match Team India vs England was a reminder of what makes this version so lovely—grit, patience, and instances of flashes of brilliance in unexpected places.
Team India demonstrated that they possess depth, fight, and the temperament to succeed when under pressure. If anything, this match sent a message to rivals: do not underestimate India’s tail at your own risk.
Final Word
Yes, it was in heartbreak. But this wasn’t a loss—it was a message. Lord’s saw the emergence of fighters such as Jadeja and Siraj, and the world now realizes that this Indian side doesn’t quit without a battle.
On to the next one. Proud, always.