The third day of the Lord’s Check between England and India supplied a compelling mixture of talent, resilience, and uncooked emotion. India, led by the composed KL Rahul and the ever-reliable Ravindra Jadeja, clawed their technique to 387 – matching England’s first-innings rating – earlier than a late drama-filled interval capped off the day. Whereas the scoreboard reads parity, the subtext of particular person battles, tactical shifts, and missed alternatives added layers to the competition.
KL Rahul’s elegant ton anchors India’s innings
Rahul was India’s axis on Saturday. In situations that examined persistence and talent, he delivered a masterclass in management and timing, scoring a century that was as a lot about psychological self-discipline because it was about method. Although his dismissal on 100—making an attempt to power the tempo after a nervous pause on 98—won’t characteristic in his private highlights reel, it was nonetheless the innings that held India collectively.
Rahul’s hundred marked India’s eighth on this tour, setting a brand new benchmark. However greater than the numbers, it was the poise and quiet authority he exuded that annoyed England, who discovered themselves toiling for breakthroughs on an unresponsive pitch.
Ben Stokes’ fireplace, Jofra Archer’s fury check India’s resolve
Ben Stokes, having just lately returned to bowling post-surgery, rolled again the clock with a thunderous five-over spell, concentrating on Rishabh Pant with a barrage of brief balls. Pant, nursing an injured finger, stood as much as the assault bravely—till a second of overzealousness price India dearly. Making an attempt a pointy single to get Rahul again on strike earlier than lunch, Pant was run out by a spectacular direct hit from Stokes—an incident that modified the temper of the session.
In the meantime, Jofra Archer gave a reminder of his menace with the ball. Clocking speeds over 150 kmph, the England pacer’s post-lunch burst was electrical, rattling Jadeja and Nitish Reddy. Although wickets didn’t come, Archer’s depth set the tone for England’s body-language revival.
Additionally READ: ENG vs IND: Ravi Shastri blasts umpires for time-wasting over ball change on Day 3 of Lord’s Check
Ravindra Jadeja exhibits grit as England flip to delay techniques
Jadeja as soon as once more proved his worth with a vital 72-run knock, countering tempo with calm. He guided the tail effectively, making certain India batted deep and erased the deficit. However the day led to simmering stress. With simply minutes remaining, England’s openers—Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett—opted for stalling techniques. Crawley’s exaggerated leaf by means of overs and sarcastic banter triggered seen frustration from Shubman Gill, who responded with sluggish claps and pointed gestures as the sunshine pale.
At stumps, England had been 2 for no loss of their second innings, holding a slender two-run lead. Whereas the numbers recommend even floor, the momentum feels shaded in India’s favour. Rahul’s resilience, Jadeja’s solidity, and a fired-up dressing room have saved the vacationers firmly within the contest.
With two days remaining and loads of warmth—each figurative and literal—this Lord’s Check is shaping up as one other chapter within the long-standing rivalry between two proud cricketing nations.
Right here’s how followers reacted:
The final 5 minutes sum up all the things about this collection
Phenomenal
Beloved the drama #spicy #INDVsENG
— DK (@DineshKarthik) July 12, 2025
Motion-packed final over to finish absorbing day’s play. Not many runs scored however battle intense. Solely becoming that first innings scores had been tied. May India have declared to get couple of extra overs and a wicket perchance? Maybe. That stated, remaining 2 days must be riveting
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) July 12, 2025
What an finish to day three.
— Lord’s Cricket Floor (@HomeOfCricket) July 12, 2025
Absolute Check cricket 🥵 pic.twitter.com/kM6Vb7N67S
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) July 12, 2025
Absolute 𝘛𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘊𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘵 🔥😂👏 pic.twitter.com/bnqTEm84kp
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) July 12, 2025
England take slim lead as Day 3 concludes at Lord’s 🏏#ENGvIND Scorecard 👉 https://t.co/jevpScX0Q6 pic.twitter.com/3lxyxHoFMC
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) July 12, 2025
pic.twitter.com/Udc1eWOrIW
— Out Of Context Cricket (@GemsOfCricket) July 12, 2025
KL Rahul with a century, and the duo of Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja with fifties, are the highest performers for Group India! 💯💪🇮🇳#ENGvIND #Assessments #KLRahul pic.twitter.com/gdAD5QHw0V
— Root Jaiswal (@JaiswalRoot) July 12, 2025
India: 387 all outEngland: 387 all out
Rating Degree
• Kl Rahul magnificent 100 at Lord’s 💯• Ravindra Jadeja Very good Fifty .• Rishabh Pant Attacking Fifty . pic.twitter.com/gkHY6mB2Ae
— Shariq Ahmad (@CricGayata5915) July 12, 2025
KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Ravindra Jadeja, palms down the most effective three for India on this first innings. 🫡
— Sharon Solomon (@BSharan_6) July 12, 2025
What a drama in lord’s England 387 all out Joe Root -103 Bumrah -5 wicket India -387 all out KL Rahul -100Rishab Pant 74 Jadeja -72 pic.twitter.com/EUGAAzbeAW
— Choudhary kapil (@Kapilmalik3011) July 12, 2025
One other good batting efficiency by India. KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja… India have been fairly competent this collection regardless of their lack of expertise in batting.
— Sreejith Mullappilli (@Mullappilli) July 12, 2025
IND 387 All Out in First innings. Sensible knock KL Rahul 100, Rishabh Pant 74 and R Jadeja 72.#ENGvIND
— JaayShaan (VaidhyaJayaShankar) (@JaayShaan) July 12, 2025
Jadeja is simply few extra check efficiency away from changing into the most effective all time best allrounder surpassing Jacques Kallis and if we rely fielding as nicely then he already is.
— EngiNerd. (@mainbhiengineer) July 12, 2025
Additionally WATCH: ENG vs IND – Jofra Archer hurls his quickest over as each supply breaches 90 MPH mark on Day 3 of Lord’s Check
