On a scorching London afternoon, Day 3 of the third Test between India and England at Lord’s produced some enthralling cricket, setting the stage for a pulsating finale as both teams ended their first innings on an identical total of 387 runs.
England’s First Innings: Steady Start and Acceleration
England, batting first, posted a solid total of 387, led by a sublime century from Joe Root—his 37th in Tests. He was supported by Jamie Smith and Brydon Carse, who played crucial cameos. India’s bowling unit responded admirably, with Jasprit Bumrah claiming a five-wicket haul. His relentless line and length dismantled England’s middle order. Left-arm spinner Nitish Kumar Reddy also played a supporting role, taking key wickets and applying pressure through tight spells.
India’s Response: Calmness and Counterattack
In reply, India showed remarkable resilience. KL Rahul stood tall with a classy century, anchoring the innings after the team found itself under early pressure. Rahul’s technique and temperament were on full display as he became the 100th batsman in Test history to score exactly 100 runs in a Test innings.
Joining him was Rishabh Pant, who played with typical flair despite battling an injured index finger. He scored a brilliant 74, including a six that saw him break Vivian Richards’ long-standing record for the most sixes in a Test series in England. He also equaled Rohit Sharma’s record for most sixes in an overseas series and surpassed MS Dhoni’s tally in England. Pant’s counterattack helped swing the momentum India’s way, though his innings ended due to a sharp run-out executed by Ben Stokes just before lunch.
Ravindra Jadeja offered further stability with a well-constructed 72. His partnership with Nitish Reddy added 62 crucial runs and helped India level the scores with England’s first innings. The Indian tail wagged just enough to keep the team in the fight, highlighting their depth and resilience.
Jofra Archer’s Impactful Comeback
Jofra Archer made his return to Test cricket after nearly four years with a bang. He delivered his fastest-ever Test over, clocking an average of 90.28 mph, breaking his own previous record. His return added much-needed venom to England’s pace attack and raised the intensity of the contest.
Final-Session Drama: Fire and Friction
With both teams level on first-innings scores, India pushed hard for a breakthrough in the short evening session. England, beginning their second innings, managed to face just one over before stumps. The final minutes of play, however, were marred by controversy.
England opener Zak Crawley delayed resumption after a sight-screen issue and subsequently called for medical attention. Indian players were visibly frustrated by what they believed was deliberate time-wasting. This led to a heated confrontation between Crawley and Indian captain Shubman Gill, who was caught on the stump mic shouting an expletive-laden remark demanding a fair contest.
The exchange, while intense, was emblematic of the high stakes and competitive nature of the series. Umpires intervened, and tensions briefly overshadowed the cricket on display. However, the passion on the field added to the narrative of an already gripping Test.
Summary and Outlook
As stumps were drawn, England reached 2 for no loss in their second innings, with a slender 2-run lead. With two full days remaining, the match is perfectly poised. India will aim to capitalize on their balanced bowling attack and newly-found batting confidence, while England will hope Archer’s pace and Stokes’s leadership can carry them home.
The Lord’s Test is shaping up to be a classic, with the momentum swinging back and forth. The level scores at the end of the first innings indicate how closely matched the sides are, and every session from here on could prove decisive in determining the outcome of the series.
Photo Credit: NDTV
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