TimesofIndia.com in London: After practically 5 days of gripping and high-quality Test cricket, England edged out India by 22 runs in an exhilarating end to the third Test at Lord’s, taking a 2-1 lead in the five-match sequence.India started the last day needing 135 runs with six wickets in hand, chasing a goal of 193. England struck early, eradicating 4 Indian batters earlier than lunch. However, the last two wickets didn’t come straightforward, as India’s decrease order, led by Ravindra Jadeja, put up a courageous struggle throughout the remaining two periods earlier than being bowled out for 170.Jadeja stood tall amid the collapse, ending unbeaten on a gritty 61.Praising Jadeja’s efficiency, India captain Shubman Gill referred to as him the crew’s most dear participant.“Ravindra Jadeja is India’s most valuable player — very hard to find. Batting with the tail was something we had spoken about, and the character he showed was tremendous. We felt 190 was gettable. One or two fifty-run partnerships would have taken the game deep and made things easier. We were alive in the game. The way Jaddu bhai and the lower order batted — a proud effort by them,” Gill mentioned after the match.
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Reflecting on the turning factors, Gill admitted India misplaced the grip throughout essential phases.“The last hour yesterday and the first hour today weren’t good with the bat. We needed one solid partnership at the top, but unfortunately, the top order didn’t perform — for the first time in the series,” he mentioned.
Gill additionally lauded Ben Stokes’ relentless spell throughout India’s chase.“The kind of effort Ben Stokes put in — 11 overs on the trot — deserves admiration from both sides,” he mentioned.Providing an replace on Rishabh Pant, who suffered a finger damage throughout England’s first innings, Gill confirmed that the wicketkeeper-batter ought to be obtainable for the subsequent Test in Manchester.“Pant went for scans, and he should be fine for the next Test. His run-out was the biggest moment in the game. We knew batting on Day 5 wouldn’t be easy,” he mentioned.Pant, who sustained a blow to his left index finger on Day 1, didn’t hold wickets for the remainder of the innings and was changed behind the stumps by Dhruv Jurel. He struggled whereas batting in the second innings and managed simply 9 runs.Gill additionally clarified the confusion round Pant’s run-out in the first innings, the place he was dismissed for 74 whereas trying to rotate strike with KL Rahul, who was nearing a century.
“It wasn’t about a personal milestone — it was an error in judgment. It was Pant’s call, and KL was at the danger end,” Gill defined.Asked about his verbal change with England opener Zak Crawley on Day 3, Gill performed down the second, saying such issues occur in intense contests.“When you’re giving everything, there will be moments of heat. But there’s a lot of mutual admiration between the two teams. Such moments happen in the heat of battle,” he mentioned.
