England vs. India 3rd Test at Lord’s 2025: A Thrilling Chapter in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy

The third Test of the 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Lord’s Cricket Ground was nothing short of a cricketing epic, delivering five days of drama, skill, and raw emotion. With the series tied at 1-1 after England’s victory at Headingley and India’s commanding 336-run win at Edgbaston, the stage was set for a pivotal clash at the Home of Cricket. England emerged victorious by a nail-biting 22 runs, taking a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. This blog post dives into the match’s defining moments, standout performances, and tactical nuances that made this Test a classic.

Match Overview: A Game of Fine Margins

The third Test, played from July 10 to July 14, 2025, was a rollercoaster that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Both teams posted identical first-innings totals of 387, a rare occurrence in Test history and only the ninth time in the format’s storied past. England’s second innings yielded 192, setting India a target of 193—a chase that seemed achievable but proved just out of reach. India finished at 170, falling 22 runs short in a tense finale. The match showcased the brilliance of pace bowling, the resilience of lower-order batting, and the unpredictable nature of Lord’s unique conditions.

Day-by-Day Breakdown

Day 1: England’s Solid Start, India’s Fightback
England, batting first after winning the toss, capitalized on a green-top pitch that offered early movement. Joe Root anchored the innings with a gritty century (his eighth at Lord’s), finishing Day 1 on the brink of a ton. However, India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah struck early, dismissing Ollie Pope post-tea and finishing with figures of 5-74, earning a place on the Lord’s honours board. Despite Bumrah’s heroics, England’s lower order, led by Jamie Smith’s quickfire 51, pushed them to a competitive 387. India’s bowlers conceded 63 extras, a point of contention that later proved costly.

Day 2: India’s Response and Root’s Brilliance
India’s reply was anchored by KL Rahul, who played a sublime 100 off 177 balls, becoming only the second Indian after Dilip Vengsarkar to score multiple Test centuries at Lord’s. Rishabh Pant’s aggressive 74 complemented Rahul, but a costly run-out just before lunch disrupted India’s momentum. England’s Jofra Archer, returning to Test cricket, struck early, removing Yashasvi Jaiswal with a peach of a delivery. India closed Day 2 at 145-3, trailing by 242 runs, with the game finely poised.

Day 3: A Historic Tie and Rising Tensions
Day 3 was marked by a rare statistical quirk: both teams finished their first innings on 387, the fifth-highest identical first-innings total in Test history. India’s innings was bolstered by Rahul’s century and contributions from Ravindra Jadeja and Nitish Reddy, but a late collapse from 376-6 to 387 all out—partly due to Pant’s run-out and a dropped catch of Jamie Smith—kept England in the game. England’s second innings began cautiously, ending the day at 2-0, with tensions flaring as Shubman Gill and Zak Crawley exchanged words, and Bumrah’s fiery bowling added to the drama.

Day 4: England’s Collapse and India’s Stumble
England’s second innings saw them collapse from 154-4 to 192 all out, with Washington Sundar (4-22) and Bumrah causing havoc. Brydon Carse’s fiery spell (2-11) and Ben Stokes’ relentless bowling (1-15) reduced India to 58-4 by stumps, needing 135 more runs with six wickets in hand. The pitch, described as “nasty” by commentators, offered unpredictable bounce, making batting a challenge. The day ended with the match on a knife’s edge, setting up a thrilling finale.

Day 5: Jadeja’s Defiance and England’s Triumph
Resuming at 58-4, India’s hopes rested on Jadeja, who played a defiant 61* off 181 balls, his first 50-plus score in a Test fourth innings. Supported by the lower order, Jadeja kept India alive, with the ninth-wicket partnership with Bumrah lasting 22 overs—the most by an Indian pair for the last two wickets in a decade. However, England’s bowlers, led by Stokes (3 wickets) and Archer (3 wickets), maintained relentless pressure. The match ended dramatically when Mohammed Siraj edged onto his stumps, sealing England’s 22-run victory—the narrowest margin of victory in runs at Lord’s.

Key Performances

England’s Heroes

• Joe Root: His first-innings century was a masterclass in patience and technique, guiding England to a competitive total. His catching prowess also added to his impact. 
• Ben Stokes: The England captain led from the front, bowling marathon spells (24 overs) and taking three crucial wickets, including KL Rahul’s. His tactical acumen in the “cat and mouse” game on Day 5 was pivotal. 
• Jofra Archer: Returning to Test cricket, Archer’s pace and bounce were unplayable at times, with his dismissal of Pant on Day 5 proving a turning point. His emotional celebration reflected the weight of his comeback. 
• Brydon Carse: Carse’s fiery spell on Day 4 (2-11) shifted momentum, dismissing key Indian batsmen and setting up England’s victory push. 

India’s Standouts

• KL Rahul: His gritty century on Day 3 was a cornerstone of India’s first innings, showcasing his ability to adapt to Lord’s challenging conditions. 
• Ravindra Jadeja: Jadeja’s unbeaten 61 in the fourth innings was a testament to his resilience, nearly pulling off a miraculous chase. His all-round contribution included key wickets in England’s first innings. 
• Jasprit Bumrah: Bumrah’s 5-74 in England’s first innings earned him a spot on the Lord’s honours board, and his fiery spells kept India in the hunt. 
• Rishabh Pant: Despite his run-out, Pant’s aggressive 74 in the first innings set the tone for India’s fightback, though his injury-affected batting on Day 5 limited his impact. 

Tactical Insights and Turning Points

1. The Pitch and Conditions: The Lord’s pitch, with its green tinge and notorious slope, played a starring role. Early assistance for pacers gave way to a surface that became trickier as the ball softened, challenging batsmen with unpredictable bounce. England’s request for a “spicy” pitch favored their pace attack, but India’s bowlers, particularly Bumrah, exploited it equally well. 
2. Dropped Catch and Extras: India’s fielding lapses, notably KL Rahul dropping Jamie Smith on 5 in England’s first innings, proved costly. Smith’s 51 added vital runs, and India’s 63 extras were a significant factor in England’s first-innings total.
3. Pant’s Run-Out: The miscommunication between Pant and Rahul on Day 3 shifted momentum. India’s collapse from 376-6 to 387 all out handed England a psychological edge. 
4. England’s Second-Innings Collapse: Losing 6 wickets for 38 runs (154-4 to 192) exposed England’s vulnerability under pressure, but their bowlers’ discipline ensured the modest target of 193 was defendable. 
5. Jadeja’s Resistance: Jadeja’s dogged batting on Day 5, supported by the tail, kept India in the game. The 301 balls faced by India’s last three partnerships were the most in a Test fourth innings since 1998, highlighting their fighting spirit. 

Statistical Highlights

• Identical First Innings: Both teams scoring 387 was only the ninth instance of identical first-innings totals in Test history, and the fifth-highest such total. Historically, such matches often end in draws, making England’s victory even more remarkable. 
• Narrowest Margin at Lord’s: England’s 22-run win marked the narrowest victory by runs at Lord’s, surpassing Australia’s 43-run win in 2023. 
• Jadeja’s Milestone: Jadeja’s 942 runs in England at No. 6 or lower place him second only to Gary Sobers among visiting batsmen. His four consecutive 50-plus scores in the series underscored his consistency. 
• Bowled Dismissals: The match saw 15 bowled dismissals, the most in a Test since 1965, reflecting the pitch’s assistance to pacers. 
• Stokes’ Record: Ben Stokes earned his fourth Player-of-the-Match award at Lord’s, the most by any player at the venue. 

What Went Wrong for India?

Despite their spirited fightback, India’s defeat can be attributed to a few critical lapses:

• Top-Order Failure: Losing four wickets for 58 runs on Day 4 crippled India’s chase. The top order, including Yashasvi Jaiswal and Karun Nair, failed to build partnerships. 
• Fielding Errors: Dropping Jamie Smith early and conceding 63 extras handed England a lifeline.
• Pant’s Run-Out: The misjudgment between Pant and Rahul at a crucial juncture derailed India’s first innings. 
• Inability to Close: Despite Jadeja’s heroics, India’s lower order couldn’t bridge the final 22-run gap, with Siraj’s dismissal proving the anti-climax. 

What Worked for England?

England’s victory was a triumph of resilience and tactical discipline:

• Stokes’ Leadership: His marathon bowling spells and calm captaincy under pressure were decisive. Stokes’ ability to “turn up” in clutch moments, as he noted, defined the win. 
• Archer’s Return: Jofra Archer’s pace and wicket-taking ability, especially dismissing Pant, swung the game in England’s favor. 
• Carse’s Spark: Brydon Carse’s fiery spell on Day 4 disrupted India’s chase, proving his value as an emerging talent. 
• Home Advantage: England’s familiarity with Lord’s conditions, particularly the slope, allowed their pacers to exploit the pitch effectively. 

Looking Ahead

With England now leading 2-1, the series heads to the fourth Test with immense stakes. India will rue their missed opportunities but take heart from Jadeja’s resilience and Bumrah’s brilliance. For England, Stokes’ leadership and Archer’s return signal a team peaking at the right time. The battle for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy is far from over, and if this Lord’s classic is any indication, fans are in for more thrilling cricket.

Final Thoughts

The Lord’s Test of 2025 will be remembered as a match where every session mattered, and every run was fought for. From Root’s century to Jadeja’s defiance, from Archer’s fiery return to Bumrah’s honours-board performance, this game encapsulated the beauty of Test cricket. As Dinesh Karthik predicted, a result was always likely, and England’s 22-run victory proved just how fine the margins are at the highest level.

For fans, this match was a reminder of why Lord’s is called the Home of Cricket—a venue where history is written, and legends are made. Share your thoughts on this epic encounter in the comments below, and let’s gear up for the next chapter in thisಸ