India's defeat at Lord's was highlighted by Ravi Shastri, who pinpointed the decisive moments that cost the team the match: "The Crucial Moments that Sealed India's Fate at Lord's"
In a nail-biting finish at the historic Lord's Cricket Ground, England secured a 2-1 lead in the five-match Test series against India, with a hard-fought 23-run victory in the third Test. The match, part of the ICC World Test Championship series, was marked by intense competition, dramatic moments, and a valiant effort from both teams.
India, set a target of 193 runs to win, initially looked well-placed but suffered an early collapse. Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed for a duck, followed by the quick dismissals of Karun Nair, Shubman Gill, and Akash Deep, putting India under pressure early while chasing.
England's bowling attack, led by Brydon Carse and Ben Stokes, proved effective. Carse took crucial wickets, while Stokes claimed three vital dismissals, including one on the final ball of Day 4 that intensified the challenge for India.
Washington Sundar's exceptional off-spin spell, taking 4 wickets for 22 runs—the best by an Indian spinner in England in over two decades—was critical in restricting England's second innings and setting up a challenging chase for India.
Despite India's lower order resistance, led by Ravindra Jadeja's unbeaten 61, and significant contributions from Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, India fell just short by 23 runs in a thrilling finish, with Siraj departing in the 75th over at a narrow score of 170 all out.
The climax featured intense moments and fine margins, with India's valiant effort ultimately ending in heartbreak but demonstrating remarkable fight under pressure. The victory gave England a 2-1 lead in the series, with both teams heading to Old Trafford for the fourth Test.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri identified these moments as turning points in the match. He compared the match to India's historic Lord's win in 2021 under his tenure as head coach, but noted that this time, it was England's turn to win. Shastri also praised Stokes' relentless work ethic during the match, particularly his mammoth 24 overs, including two long and intense spells on the final day.
One of the key moments in the game was the dismissal of Rishabh Pant, who was cruising on 74, just before the Day 3 lunch break in the first innings. Another was the dismissal of Karun Nair, leaving an innocuous ball, early in the second innings, leaving India at 40/1.
The series now stands at 2-1 in favour of England, with India needing to win the remaining two Tests to stay alive and force a decider at The Oval. The fourth Test is scheduled to begin at Old Trafford on 1 September.
India's lower order resistance, led by Ravindra Jadeja's unbeaten 61, despite their early collapse in the chase, showed a valiant effort during the sports match. England's bowling attack, with Brydon Carse and Ben Stokes leading the charge, proved instrumental in securing a 23-run victory in the cricket match, making the series score 2-1 in their favour.
