India vs England – Test cricket is alive and kicking, and there’s no better place to witness its drama than Lord’s. The hallowed turf in London is once again witnessing a classic clash as India take on England in the third Test of a five-match series. The series is currently tied 1-1, and with both sides gunning for a lead, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
From Jasprit Bumrah’s fiery spell that etched his name on the Lord’s honours board to Jofra Archer’s long-awaited Test comeback, there’s been no shortage of action.
Add to that some drama around ball changes, slow over-rates, and vocal reactions from former cricketers — and we’ve got ourselves a Test match full of character, grit, and controversy.
This match isn’t just about runs and wickets; it’s a battle of patience, skill, and strategy. With every ball bowled, the narrative shifts — from a dominant England start to a determined Indian comeback.
And as Day 3 unfolds, all eyes are on whether India can erase the first-innings deficit and take control. Let’s dive deeper into how this Test has shaped up so far.
The Build-Up to the Lord’s Clash
India vs England – Series Scoreline and Stakes
Coming into this Test, the five-match series was level at 1-1. England had taken the opening Test with a show of aggressive cricket — their new-age ‘Bazball’ approach paying off. But India, ever so resilient, bounced back in the second Test at Trent Bridge with a dominant performance spearheaded by their seamers and the steady middle order.
Lord’s, often regarded as the Mecca of cricket, promised a high-stakes third encounter. Both teams understood that a win here wouldn’t just give them a lead but would provide a psychological upper hand going into the final two Tests. It wasn’t just about the numbers on the scoreboard — it was about momentum, mindset, and morale.
As tickets sold out days in advance, the excitement was palpable. The English crowd was hungry to see their team continue the Bazball blitz, while Indian fans dreamed of another iconic victory at a venue where India’s past heroes had scripted memorable wins — think 1986, 2014, and 2021.
Team Combinations and Pre-Match Buzz
Team selection was a hot topic leading into the match. England brought back Jofra Archer, marking his return to Test cricket after a long injury layoff. The buzz around his pace and potential impact was electrifying.
Meanwhile, India made a couple of changes too, with Abhishek Sharma getting another chance and the management backing young talent like Yashasvi Jaiswal.
There were also murmurs about the pitch — would it assist swing? Would spinners have a role to play later? Experts debated endlessly, but what remained clear was that both teams came prepared with pace-heavy attacks, banking on the early morning Lord’s conditions to do the trick.
Day 1 – England’s Commanding Start
India vs England – England’s Batting Dominance
Day 1 saw England take the upper hand. Their batters came out with intent, not reckless aggression but purposeful stroke play that embodied their new Test mindset.
Zak Crawley looked solid, Joe Root played his part, and Harry Brook chipped in with a mature knock. At one point, it looked like England might post something close to 450-plus.
The Indian bowlers, despite some probing lines, struggled to find consistency early on. The new ball did swing, but the English top order batted with positive intent, not allowing the bowlers to settle.
Runs flowed quickly in the first two sessions, and the hosts were comfortably placed at 280/4 by tea.
Bumrah’s Late Breakthroughs
But as they say in Test cricket — patience is a virtue. Jasprit Bumrah reminded the world why he’s one of the most feared fast bowlers in the world. In a sensational post-tea session, Bumrah came back with venom.
He picked up crucial wickets, disrupted England’s rhythm, and ended the day with a superb spell that brought India back into the match.
By stumps, England were bowled out for 387 — a respectable score, but not quite the 450-plus they seemed destined for. And it was largely thanks to Bumrah’s 5-wicket haul, a performance that not only turned the tide but also etched his name into Lord’s folklore.
His figures of 5/74 had Indian fans buzzing, and his name now proudly sits on the historic Lord’s honours board.
Day 2 – Jasprit Bumrah’s Magic at Lord’s
Five-Wicket Haul on Iconic Turf
Day 2 belonged to Bumrah. His rhythm, accuracy, and ability to hit the right lengths repeatedly on a flat pitch made him nearly unplayable. India vs England – He trapped Ollie Pope, cleaned up Stokes with a beauty, and then ran through the tail like a man possessed.
What made his performance even more special was the context — England were in control, and Bumrah’s burst changed the complexion of the innings.
This wasn’t just another five-wicket haul — it was a spell of relentless pressure and masterclass in fast bowling. Fans on social media and pundits in commentary boxes were all praise.
Some even called it the best bowling performance by an Indian pacer at Lord’s since Kapil Dev. And in fact, Bumrah went one step further — surpassing Kapil’s record of most five-wicket hauls overseas for India.
England’s Collapse and Scorecard
From 280/4 to 387 all out — that collapse was sudden. The last six wickets fell for just 107 runs, and it gave India a fighting chance. Shami and Siraj chipped in too, but the day was all about Bumrah. India vs England – His aggression and control ensured that England didn’t bat India out of the game.
India ended Day 2 at 145/3, with Shubman Gill playing a fluent knock before getting out to a controversial ball that led to the “ball change” row. Still, India had stabilized, thanks to KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant.
India’s First Innings – A Mixed Bag So Far
Early Jitters and Archer’s Comeback
India’s reply began on a shaky note. The return of Jofra Archer was as dramatic as one could imagine. Bowling with pace, bounce, and intent, Archer got an early breakthrough, dismissing Rohit Sharma with a vicious delivery. His body language, fire in the eyes, and seamless transition back to red-ball cricket won over fans instantly.
India vs England – For India, it was a reality check. England’s pace battery meant no room for error. Jaiswal fell soon after, edging behind, and suddenly India were 35/2. The threat of a collapse loomed large.
KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant Stabilize
But then came the calm after the storm. KL Rahul, batting with serene focus, dropped anchor. He played the moving ball with soft hands, left with authority, and punished the bad ones.
At the other end, Pant brought his typical flair but with measured control — picking gaps, rotating strike, and occasionally breaking the shackles with a lofted boundary.
The two of them built a partnership worth its weight in gold. By the end of Day 2, India were 145/3, and early on Day 3, they continued their solid stand. At one point, Rahul was nearing his fifty, while Pant was starting to open up. The fightback had begun.
