In yet another classic installment of their red-ball rivalry, England edged out India by 22 runs in a gripping Test match at Lord’s to take a 2-1 lead in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
From Jofra Archer’s comeback fireworks to India’s costly miscalculations and emotional flashpoints, the third Test offered lessons, controversies, and defining moments that will shape the rest of the series.
Here are five key takeaways from the dramatic contest at Lord’s:
1. Jofra Archer's Return Could Define England's Future
After four long years of battling injuries, Jofra Archer made a stirring return to Test cricket at the very ground where he first burst onto the scene. Clocking speeds in excess of 90 mph and finishing with a match haul of 5/107, Archer looked every bit the menacing fast bowler England have long missed.
His control, aggression, and ability to shift momentum made an instant impact. Captain Ben Stokes summed it up perfectly: "Every time he gets announced on the tannoy, the ground erupts... He got some crucial wickets for us." The big question now is whether his body can hold up for the remainder of the series — and, eventually, the Ashes later this year.
2. India Let The Moment Get The Better Of Them
India matched England's first-innings total of 387 but could have easily taken a substantial lead — if not for a costly moment of milestone-chasing. With KL Rahul nearing his century and the lunch break approaching, Rishabh Pant attempted a risky single to get his partner back on strike.
Stokes swooped in with a direct hit to run Pant out for 74, ending a crucial 141-run stand. Rahul got his hundred anyway, but India’s innings stalled. That moment of short-sightedness — driven perhaps by scoreboard glory — proved symbolic of India letting small lapses hurt a bigger cause.
3. Stokes' All-Round Brilliance Drives England Again
Ben Stokes continues to redefine the limits of human endurance on a cricket field. With 77 runs, five wickets, a game-defining direct hit, and two marathon bowling spells on the final day, Stokes was everywhere. He bowled 24 overs in India’s second innings — 18.2 of them on Day 5 — and never let the intensity dip.
His ability to summon physical and mental reserves when his team needs him most is what separates him from the rest. If England do go on to win this series, this Test might be remembered as the day Stokes broke himself for the cause.
4. Tempers Flare, But So Does Passion
Mohammed Siraj’s aggressive send-off to Ben Duckett on Day 4 earned him an ICC fine, but it also reignited the debate around how much emotion is too much. While the ICC cited breaching the code for "actions which could provoke a reaction," former England captain Nasser Hussain defended the Indian pacer: "He’s someone you love to have in your team. No one shows more fight than Siraj."
In a series full of tense moments — including time-wasting accusations and testy stares — Siraj’s fire was both a liability and an asset. The fine may sting, but his passion was never in doubt.
5. India Need To Regain Composure And Clarity
India have now lost two close Tests in the series, both games they were in control of for long periods. Whether it’s misjudging chases, momentary lapses of judgment, or letting emotions distract from plans, India have struggled to close out winning positions.
As the series shifts to Old Trafford, their challenge is as much mental as tactical. They’ve matched England skill-for-skill — but need to rediscover composure under pressure if they are to mount a comeback and stay in the hunt for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy and vital WTC points.
