London: It was a dream Test match which literally went down to the wire. Unfortunately, India ended on the losing side after a heroic and stubborn late-order resistance. England’s 22-run victory, achieved in the final session of Day 5, helped them take a 2-1 lead, with two matches to play.
Going into the final day of the third Test needing 135 runs with 6 wickets in hand, India imploded in the opening session of the final day to be staring at certain defeat as they stuttered to 112/8 at lunch.
But the never-say-die Ravindra Jadeja goaded fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj to hang around at the crease.
Jadeja was rock-solid, while the tailenders defended for their lives as India crept towards what would have been a truly incredible triumph.
After Rishabh Pant (9), Rahul (39), Washington Sundar (0) fell to the guiles of Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes within half an hour this morning, Jadeja finally got some support from Nitish Reddy (13 off 53 balls). But the allrounder was dismissed on the stroke of lunch to push India closer to defeat.
Bumrah then survived 54 balls before he fell trying to play an aggressive shot. Last man Siraj came in and showed his intent to keep his end up. He saw off 29 balls before agonisingly watching his defensive shot to spinner Shoaib Bashir rolling to the stumps and dislodge a single bail.
Watch Siraj’s unfortunate dismissal in a video which has gone viral on X:
Most unlucky 😔 moment of the cricket.
Mohmmad siraj unlucky out.#INDvsENG #INDvsENGTest #RAVINDRAJADEJA #siraj #cricket pic.twitter.com/NxjBjL3IOA— RED BULL (@RedBullXcricket) July 14, 2025
Siraj was distraught, as he sat on his haunches for several minutes, only to be consoled by English players and Jadeja.
BRIEF SCORES
England first innings: 387
India first innings: 387
England second innings: 192
India second innings: 172 (Ravindra Jadeja 61*, KL Rahul 39; Ben Stokes 3/48, Jofra Archer 3/55).
Man of the Match: Ben Stokes (44 & 33; 2/63 & 3/48; brilliant run out of Rishabh Pant).
Series position: England lead 2-1 to 2 to play.
4th Test: From July 23 at Old Trafford, Manchester.
