England secured a dramatic 22-run victory over India in the third Test at Lord's, with the match ending in the final session on day five when Mohammed Siraj's stumps were disturbed by a deflected delivery from Shoaib Bashir. The result gives England a 2-1 lead in the series, with one Test remaining.
India were set a target of 193 runs but were reduced to 112 for eight at lunch, seemingly heading for defeat. However, Ravindra Jadeja produced a remarkable unbeaten 61 from 181 balls, dragging India to within 22 runs of victory before the final wicket fell. Joe Root consoled the distraught Siraj and shook hands with Jadeja in recognition of his near five-hour rearguard.
Jofra Archer, playing his first Test in four years, added pace and menace to England's attack, taking two crucial wickets on the final day and striking Siraj on the arm moments before the decisive dismissal. Ben Stokes was instrumental throughout, contributing five wickets, 77 runs, a game-changing run out, and bowling 24 overs in the fourth innings despite his ongoing fitness concerns.
England's first-innings total of 387, built around Root's 37th Test century, proved vital on a sluggish surface. Jasprit Bumrah, despite taking 12 wickets in the series, ended on the losing side after a gritty partnership with Jadeja that nearly saw India home. Stokes eventually broke the stand, inducing a top-edge from Bumrah after lunch.
The match was marked by intense drama, including a time-wasting row on the third evening, but England held their nerve to secure victory. Bashir's series is over due to a finger injury, but his final contribution will be long remembered.
