India vs England 3rd Test at Lord’s: The gripping five-match Test series between India and England has taken a thrilling turn at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground. After India’s commanding 337-run victory in the second Test, the visitors have clawed their way back into the series, leveling it at 1-1. Now, with the third Test reaching its climax, both sides are locked in a high-stakes battle, with momentum swinging wildly over the first three days.
Day 3 Ends with England 2/0 in Second Innings
As stumps were called on Day 3, England had just begun their second innings and reached 2 runs without loss in one over. Openers Zak Crawley (2*) and Ben Duckett (0*) survived the brief period of play, setting the stage for a tense Day 4.
England’s First Innings: Root Leads the Way with a Classic Century
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, England’s start was far from ideal. Their openers departed cheaply, with the score reading a shaky 44/2. However, veteran batter Joe Root once again showcased his class at Lord’s with a sublime 104-run knock, steering England out of early trouble.
Root’s century came off 199 balls and featured 10 elegant boundaries. His partnership with Ollie Pope helped England recover to 153, before middle-order contributions pushed their total to a respectable 387 in 112.3 overs. Brydon Carse added valuable lower-order runs, scoring a gritty 56.
India’s bowling attack, spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah, made inroads at regular intervals. Bumrah claimed a five-wicket haul, continuing his rich vein of form. Youngster Nitish Kumar Reddy chipped in with two wickets, while Mohammed Siraj also grabbed a brace, maintaining pressure throughout.
India’s Response: KL Rahul Anchors with a Stylish Ton
In reply, India’s innings mirrored England’s in many ways—early jitters followed by a composed rebuild. Losing their first wicket with just 13 runs on the board, the visitors were steadied by a 50-plus partnership between KL Rahul and Karun Nair.
Rahul was the standout performer with a fluent 100 off 177 balls, laced with 13 boundaries. His timing, technique, and patience were exemplary, particularly against the moving ball. He found support from wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who counterattacked with a rapid 74.
Despite their efforts, India were eventually bowled out for 387 in 119.2 overs—identical to England’s first-innings total. The match is now tantalizingly poised with no first-innings lead, setting the tone for a second-innings shootout.
England’s bowling saw contributions across the board. Chris Woakes led the pack with 3 wickets, while Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes chipped in with crucial breakthroughs.
What to Expect on Day 4?
With three days of high-quality Test cricket already behind us, all eyes are now on Day 4. The pitch at Lord’s has shown signs of variable bounce and turn, which could bring India’s spinners into play. England, meanwhile, will be banking on their top order to fire and set a formidable target for India in the fourth innings.
Given the even scores, the match is effectively a two-innings shootout, with each team aiming to seize control before the final day. The battle between India’s pacers and England’s resilient middle-order promises to be a key subplot.
Series Context and What’s at Stake
The Test series, which began on June 20 and concludes on August 4, has already delivered two riveting contests. With the series tied at 1-1, this third Test could very well act as the decider in terms of psychological advantage.
Shubman Gill, leading India in this series, has shown composure in his new leadership role. On the other side, Ben Stokes continues to lead England with aggression and flair. The outcome of this match could influence both captains’ legacy in this fierce rivalry.
Match Summary After Day 3
England 1st Innings: 387 all out in 112.3 overs
- Joe Root – 104 (199)
- Brydon Carse – 56
- Jasprit Bumrah – 5/63
- Nitish Kumar Reddy – 2/54
India 1st Innings: 387 all out in 119.2 overs
- KL Rahul – 100 (177)
- Rishabh Pant – 74
- Chris Woakes – 3/68
- Jofra Archer – 2/45
England 2nd Innings (Stumps Day 3): 2/0 in 1 over
- Zak Crawley – 2*
- Ben Duckett – 0*
With both teams showing grit, skill, and a hunger to win, the third Test at Lord’s is shaping up to be a modern classic. Whether it’s Root’s consistency, Rahul’s resilience, or Bumrah’s lethal spells—fans are being treated to a feast of top-tier Test cricket. Day 4 could bring decisive moments that tilt the balance either way.
