INDIA TOUR OF ENGLAND, 2025
England celebrate the last wicket of Mohammed Siraj © Getty
Ravindra Jadeja (61*) played a crucial role in India’s determined lower-order batting effort, extending for more than a session. Nevertheless, England claimed a tense 22-run victory at Lord’s, taking a 2-1 lead in the series. Following an early collapse of 3 wickets for 11 runs on the fifth morning, Jadeja formed two significant partnerships—30 runs with Nitish Reddy and 35 runs with Jasprit Bumrah—to keep India in the game until the last session. However, Chris Woakes and Ben Stokes broke through those partnerships just before Lunch and Tea, edging England closer to successfully defending 192 runs.
The morning’s collapse was part of a remarkable turnaround for England, initiated by Brydon Carse late on Day 4. After losing three wickets for 17 runs in the dying moments of the previous day, India resumed their chase at 58 for 4, needing an additional 135 runs. Jofra Archer and Stokes, however, quickly turned the game in England’s favor during their extended morning spells.
After Rishabh Pant hit Archer for two boundaries, the bowler responded by dismissing him, removing his off-stump and celebrating emphatically. Stokes then pinned KL Rahul lbw after a successful review revealed three reds on ball-tracking. Archer continued to create excitement, producing a stunning low catch off his own bowling to dismiss Washington Sundar before he could score. This sudden fall of 3 wickets in four overs left India at a precarious 82 for 7.
In this tense situation, Reddy partnered with Jadeja, focusing on building their innings. The pair gradually reduced India’s deficit below 100 runs by the drinks break, showing improvement in communication compared to their previous innings where misunderstandings plagued their partnership.
Despite India not scoring a boundary for 80 deliveries since Pant’s wickets, there was still plenty of action. The fielders remained vocal, attempting to induce mistakes from the batters, particularly Reddy. Communication mishaps resulted in a heated moment between Jadeja and Carse, quelled by Stokes before it escalated. Woakes ultimately broke through at Lunch, dismissing Reddy for 13, leaving India at 112 for 8 and needing 81 runs with England’s belief in a series lead strengthening.
Brief scores: England 387 (Joe Root 104, Brydon Carse 56, Jamie Smith 51; Jasprit Bumrah 5-74) & 192 (Joe Root 40; Washington Sundar 4-22, Siraj 2-31) beat India 387 (KL Rahul 100, Rishabh Pant 74, Ravindra Jadeja 72; Chris Woakes 3-84, Jofra Archer 2-52) & 170 (Ravindra Jadeja 61*; Ben Stokes 3-48, Jofra Archer 3-55) by 22 runs.
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