Despite a valiant effort by Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj, India fell short by 22 runs in a dramatic third Test at Lord’s. Cricket legends including Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly praised the trio for their resolve amid a tough defeat.
London [UK], July 15:
Cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar and several other former India cricketers have hailed the spirited performances of Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, and Jasprit Bumrah after India’s narrow 22-run defeat in the third Test against England at Lord’s.
The final day at Lord’s witnessed a tense and dramatic battle. India, chasing a modest 193-run target, collapsed to 58/4 and then 82/7, leaving the chase in disarray. However, Jadeja and Bumrah stitched together a defiant partnership that briefly rekindled hopes of a miracle win. The atmosphere inside the iconic stadium turned electric as chants of “India, India” echoed despite a majority of English spectators.
Eventually, India’s brave resistance was broken in the second session, as they were bowled out, handing England a memorable win and a 2-1 lead in the five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series.
Sachin Tendulkar, writing on X (formerly Twitter), summed up the mood perfectly:
“So near, yet so far… Jadeja, Bumrah, & Siraj fought all the way till the end. Well tried, Team India. England played well to keep the pressure on and produced the result they desired. Congratulations on a hard-fought win.”
Sourav Ganguly, who famously celebrated a NatWest win at Lord’s by waving his jersey in 2002, expressed deep disappointment at the missed opportunity:
“What a Test match… India will leave Lord’s very disappointed. They played so well across all three Tests. But down 2-1 now—it was a Test to be won. Jadeja fought hard and showed 193 was not a big total.”
Yuvraj Singh offered an optimistic take, appreciating the mental toughness displayed by the Indian players:
“Not the result we wanted, but this match will be remembered for the fight we showed. @imjadeja and @mdsirajofficial stood tall in a pressure cooker situation! A performance that demands respect—not just for the skill, but for the mindset!”
Wassim Jaffer, known for his poetic takes on cricket, wrote:
“Heartbreaking finish but proud of the fight. Take a bow @imjadeja—what determination, what patience. What a Test match we’ve had. Congratulations @benstokes38—lion-hearted effort with the ball.”
Veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh echoed the sentiments, acknowledging the efforts of India’s bowling trio:
“Showed great commitment @imjadeja @Jaspritbumrah93 & @mdsirajofficial. Wasn’t our day.”
Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan highlighted the turning points that went in England’s favour:
“Fight shown by India but England was able to seize the crucial moments.”
A Match of Twists and Turns
After both teams finished with identical first-innings scores of 387, the match seemed evenly poised. However, the Lord’s pitch turned tricky over the next two days, amplifying the drama. England’s second-innings collapse for 192 gave India a sniff at victory, but a fiery spell by Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer turned the tide decisively.
Jadeja remained unbeaten on 61, valiantly resisting for over 35 overs—22 with Bumrah and the next 13 with Siraj. Despite his heroics, India fell just short of the target, surrendering a match that could have gone either way.
The defeat marks a significant juncture in the series as India trails 2-1, with two Tests to go.