India’s hopes of a historic win at Lord’s were dashed on Day 5 of the third Test, as England edged out a thrilling 22-run victory to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. Despite the defeat, the match will be remembered for Ravindra Jadeja’s heroic innings, where he scored his maiden fourth-innings Test fifty, a knock filled with grit, patience, and character.
Chasing 193 for victory, India were rocked early on the final day. Starting at 40/3, they slipped further to 71/5, losing key batters including KL Rahul and Washington Sundar. The pressure was immense, but Jadeja walked in and took control when his team needed him most. At 82/7, the match seemed all but over, but the left-hander had other ideas.
World No.1 Test Allrounder Ravindra Jadeja’s Grit Almost Shook Stokes-led England at the Lord’s Test
The No. 1-ranked Test All-rounder for a record time, Jadeja built a fighting partnership with Nitish Kumar Reddy and then with Jasprit Bumrah, who held firm for 54 balls in a vital lower-order stand. Together, they pushed India past the 100-run mark and kept hopes alive. Jadeja’s 50 came off 150 balls, a display of resilience in challenging conditions. As wickets kept falling around him, he remained calm and determined.
Mohammed Siraj joined Jadeja as the last man in, and the pair gave England a real scare. The duo added crucial runs, taking India to 170. Just 23 runs away from victory, a loose shot from Siraj saw him dismissed in the 75th over, leaving Jadeja stranded at the other end, unbeaten and heartbroken.
Earlier in the match, Jadeja had also contributed a solid 72 in the first innings, helping India post 353. England replied with 298, and India then bowled them out for 192 in their second innings, with Washington Sundar leading the attack with a 4-fer. But the final chase proved just out of reach.
This match also marked Jadeja’s fourth consecutive 50+ score in the series, joining elite company alongside Rishabh Pant and Sourav Ganguly. It was his 26th Test fifty overall, and his seventh in England.
While the result didn’t go India’s way, Jadeja’s performance was a standout, a true lone warrior’s effort that nearly turned the match. Sadly, he was left stranded as his brilliant knock went in vain.
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