Fans go wild after Ravindra Jadeja’s heroic knock goes in vain as England beat India in a thriller at Lord’s Test



In an epic Test contest at Lord’s, Ravindra Jadeja’s valiant unbeaten 61 proved insufficient as India fell 22 runs short in their chase of 192. England, powered by decisive spells from Chris Woakes, Ben Stokes, and Jofra Archer, pulled off a gripping win to go 2-1 up in the five-match series.

On a pitch that offered just enough for bowlers throughout the match, Jadeja’s resistance with the lower-order gave India a glimmer of hope. However, the home side’s persistence in the final session paid off as debutant spinner Shoaib Bashir, nursing a bruised finger, removed Mohammed Siraj to end India’s fightback and seal the match for England.

Jofra Archer, Ben Stokes jolt India early

India resumed Day 5 at 58/4, needing 135 more runs, but England struck swiftly. Archer rocked the visitors by bowling Rishabh Pant after being hit for two boundaries, followed by a fiery send-off. Stokes then trapped KL Rahul with a delivery that straightened late, and successfully reviewed the on-field decision to get it overturned.

Just an over later, Archer plucked a one-handed reflex catch off his own bowling to dismiss Washington Sundar for a duck. Within four overs, India had slumped to 82/7 – losing 3 wickets for just 11 runs.

Ravindra Jadeja revive hopes amid England sledging

Under immense pressure, Nitish Reddy and Jadeja mounted a rearguard effort. The duo added 30 crucial runs, taking India to 112 before Reddy nicked one off Woakes just before Lunch. Their partnership, though brief, displayed grit and better running between wickets – something they had lacked in the first innings.

Tensions flared when Jadeja collided with Brydon Carse during a run, prompting a heated exchange. Skipper Stokes had to step in to calm things down, highlighting the intensity of the contest.

With only the tail for company, Jadeja took it upon himself to shepherd the innings. His partnership with Jasprit Bumrah (5 off 54) added 35 runs – frustrating England for nearly 18 overs. Bumrah’s defiance included a pull for four against Archer – his first runs in the series.

Jadeja, meanwhile, absorbed pressure and then counterattacked. He brought up his fourth successive fifty of the series with a boundary off Stokes but avoided celebrating. Unfortunately, moments later, Stokes bounced Bumrah out with a well-directed short ball to break the stand.

Mohammed Siraj’s bravery not enough as Bashir seals the win

The final session began with India needing 27 and England just one wicket. Siraj, bruised and battered, stood firm alongside Jadeja and even survived a hostile spell from Carse and Stokes. He celebrated Jadeja’s fifty and blocked ball after ball, raising faint hopes among Indian fans.

But spin did the trick in the end. Bashir, turning the ball away from the right-hander, knocked over Siraj’s stumps to bring the curtains down on a pulsating Test. Jadeja, left stranded on 61, walked off dejected, having nearly pulled off the improbable.

Here’s how fans reacted:

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