TimesofIndia.com in London: After nearly five days of gripping and high-quality Test cricket, England edged out India by 22 runs in a thrilling finish to the third Test at Lord’s, taking a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.India began the final day needing 135 runs with six wickets in hand, chasing a target of 193. England struck early, removing four Indian batters before lunch. However, the final two wickets didn’t come easy, as India’s lower order, led by Ravindra Jadeja, put up a brave fight across the remaining two sessions before being bowled out for 170.Jadeja stood tall amid the collapse, finishing unbeaten on a gritty 61.Praising Jadeja’s performance, India captain Shubman Gill called him the team’s most valuable player.“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 said after the match.
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Reflecting on the turning points, Gill admitted India lost the grip during crucial 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 said.
Gill also lauded Ben Stokes’ relentless spell during India’s chase.“The kind of effort Ben Stokes put in — 11 overs on the trot — deserves admiration from both sides,” he said.Providing an update on Rishabh Pant, who suffered a finger injury during England’s first innings, Gill confirmed that the wicketkeeper-batter should be available for the next 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 said.Pant, who sustained a blow to his left index finger on Day 1, didn’t keep wickets for the rest of the innings and was replaced behind the stumps by Dhruv Jurel. He struggled while batting in the second innings and managed just 9 runs.Gill also clarified the confusion around Pant’s run-out in the first innings, where he was dismissed for 74 while attempting 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 explained.Asked about his verbal exchange with England opener Zak Crawley on Day 3, Gill played down the moment, saying such things happen 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 said.
