Introduction
Cricket fans were treated to a thrilling contest as the India National Cricket Team clashed with the England Cricket Team in the third Test of the 2025 series at Lord’s. This historic venue witnessed one of the most nerve-wracking finishes in recent memory as England edged past India by just 22 runs. Both teams showcased incredible skill, resilience, and drama across all five days, with the match culminating in a tense final session that kept viewers around the world on the edge of their seats.
What made this Test especially unforgettable was the rare occurrence of both teams scoring exactly the same total in their first innings — 387 runs — a statistical rarity in Test cricket. With the series now at 2–1 in England’s favor, the momentum shifts ahead of the fourth Test. In this article, we provide a comprehensive look at the full scorecard, standout performances, turning points, and what it means for the series going forward.
Match Summary
- Venue: Lord’s Cricket Ground, London
- Match Type: 3rd Test – Five-match Series
- Result: England won by 22 runs
- Series Score: England leads 2–1
Complete Scorecard
1st Innings
| Team | Score | Overs |
|---|---|---|
| England | 387 | 112.3 |
| India | 387 | 119.2 |
2nd Innings
| Team | Score | Overs |
|---|---|---|
| England | 192 | 62.1 |
| India | 170 | 74.5 |
England Batting Highlights
1st Innings
- Joe Root: 100 (212 balls) – Calm and composed, set the base.
- Zak Crawley: 68 (120 balls) – Dominated the new ball.
- Jonny Bairstow: 48 – Played fluently in the middle order.
2nd Innings
- Ben Stokes: 77 (138 balls) – Anchored the innings and provided a defendable total.
- Harry Brook: 38 – Added crucial middle-order runs.
India Batting Highlights
1st Innings
- KL Rahul: 119 (237 balls) – A masterclass in patience and strokeplay.
- Rohit Sharma: 61 – Strong opening partnership.
- Rishabh Pant: 54 – Attacked in the lower-middle order.
- Ravindra Jadeja: 39 – Valuable all-round contribution.
2nd Innings
- Ravindra Jadeja: 61* (144 balls) – Nearly pulled off the win with a gutsy effort.
- Mohammed Siraj: 20 – Showed grit under pressure.
Bowling Performance
England Bowlers
- Ben Stokes: 5 wickets (across both innings) – The match-winner with both bat and ball.
- Jofra Archer: 5 wickets – Blistering pace troubled Indian batters.
- Shoaib Bashir: Took the final wicket to seal the victory.
India Bowlers
- Jasprit Bumrah: 6 wickets – Consistently delivered breakthroughs.
- Ravindra Jadeja: 4 wickets – Effective with both bat and ball.
- Mohammed Siraj: 3 wickets – Bowled with pace and precision.
Key Turning Points
- First Innings Tie:
Both teams scoring 387 in their first innings is incredibly rare and shaped the narrative of the match. - England’s Lower-Order Runs:
Contributions from Ben Foakes and Mark Wood ensured England crossed 190 in the second innings. - India’s Middle-Order Collapse:
From 112/4, India slipped to 120/8 on Day 5 – a collapse that cost them the match. - Jadeja’s Lone Stand:
His unbeaten 61 gave India hope, but he ran out of partners at the other end. - Final Wicket Drama:
Siraj’s dismissal — bowled via a deflection — ended India’s brave chase just 22 runs short.
Match Analysis
England’s Strategic Brilliance
England’s strategy revolved around aggression and adaptability. The decision to attack early in India’s second innings with Archer and Stokes paid rich dividends. Their relentless pressure on the Indian middle order created the opening they needed.
Stokes, playing as a true all-rounder, produced a captain’s knock in the second innings and backed it up with key wickets. Archer’s return to Test cricket after injury was impactful, bringing back the raw pace England missed.
India’s Grit and Missteps
India looked comfortable at several points, especially after matching England’s first-innings total. However, the inability to capitalize in the second innings cost them the game. Rahul’s ton and Jadeja’s final effort were standout performances, but lapses in batting and poor shot selection from the middle order turned the tide against them.
Top Performers of the Match
| Player | Team | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Ben Stokes | England | 77 runs, 5 wickets, key run-out |
| KL Rahul | India | 119 in 1st innings |
| Jofra Archer | England | 5 wickets in the match |
| Ravindra Jadeja | India | 61* in 2nd innings, 4 wickets overall |
| Joe Root | England | 100 in 1st innings |
Historic Significance
- This was only the ninth instance in Test cricket where both teams scored the same runs in their first innings.
- England’s 22-run victory is one of the narrowest margins in recent Lord’s Tests.
- Stokes became the only captain in this decade to score 75+ and take 5 wickets in a Lord’s match.
Series Status & What’s Next
- England now leads the five-match series 2–1.
- The 4th Test will be played at Old Trafford on July 23, 2025.
- The final 5th Test is scheduled at The Oval starting July 31, 2025.
India must regroup and rework its strategy, especially around batting in pressure situations. England, meanwhile, will aim to seal the series early.
Lakers vs Bucks Player Stats Breakdown – March 2025 Battles
Conclusion
The third Test between India and England at Lord’s will go down as a modern-day classic. With both teams scoring exactly 387 in their first innings, the match was evenly poised throughout. England’s narrow 22-run win was the result of exceptional performances from Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer, while India was left heartbroken after a brave fightback led by Ravindra Jadeja.
This match was not just about stats and wickets; it embodied the unpredictable beauty of Test cricket. Both teams had their moments of glory and failure, making the final session all the more gripping. As the series heads into its final two matches, the momentum is clearly with England—but India, known for their resilience, will surely come back harder.
Cricket lovers, buckle up — if Lord’s was any indication, we’re in for a phenomenal finish to the series.
FAQs
1. What was the final score of India vs England 3rd Test 2025?
India: 387 & 170 | England: 387 & 192. England won by 22 runs.
2. Who scored the most runs in the India vs England 3rd Test?
KL Rahul scored the highest individual score of the match with 119 runs in India’s first innings.
3. Who took the most wickets in the match?
Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer both took 5 wickets each, making them England’s top bowlers.
4. Why did India lose the 3rd Test despite a great start?
India collapsed in their second innings, losing 6 wickets for just 8 runs in a crucial phase.
5. What’s next after the 3rd Test?
The fourth Test will be played at Old Trafford starting July 23, 2025. England leads the series 2–1.