Key Moments That Shaped the Thrilling Third Test at Lord's

The third Test at Lord's between England and India was filled with defining moments that shaped the match's outcome. Former players Dinesh Karthik and Nasser Hussain analyzed key incidents, including India's batting collapse and Rishabh Pant's crucial run-out. Despite a valiant effort from Ravindra Jadeja, India fell short, losing by 22 runs. This article delves into the significant plays that influenced the match, highlighting the challenges faced by the Indian team and the impact of England's strategic plays. Discover how these moments could affect the series as it progresses.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 15, 2025, 12:21 IST

Defining Moments in the Lord's Test

In London, former Indian wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik and ex-England captain Nasser Hussain identified crucial moments that influenced the outcome of the gripping third Test at Lord's. The match saw momentum shift between both teams, but ultimately, England secured a 22-run victory. India struggled to chase down a target of 193 runs, despite a valiant effort from Ravindra Jadeja alongside tail-enders Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.

Karthik Analyzes India's First Innings Collapse

Karthik believes that the entire Test should not be evaluated solely based on the final day's events. He pointed out India's 'mini-collapse' during their first innings, where they went from 376/6 to being all out for 387, which was the same score England achieved. He also highlighted a crucial dropped catch by KL Rahul, who let Jamie Smith off the hook when he was on five runs. Smith went on to score 51 runs before being dismissed by Siraj.

"If you judge the match only on today's events, you're missing the bigger picture. The transition from 376-6 to 387 all out is significant. The dropped catch by KL Rahul was pivotal," Karthik remarked on Sky Sports. He emphasized the importance of discussing these moments, noting that India had opportunities to seize control but failed to do so for the third time in this series.

Hussain Highlights Stokes' Game-Changing Moment

Hussain pointed to England captain Ben Stokes' precise throw that resulted in the run-out of India's vice-captain Rishabh Pant, who was on 74 runs, as a turning point in the match. "That run-out of Rishabh Pant in India's first innings was crucial. Stokes is always a factor, whether with the bat, ball, or in the field!" Hussain stated.

On the final day, Stokes and fast bowler Jofra Archer quickly reduced India to 82/7. Jadeja fought back with an unbeaten 61, but his efforts were in vain when Shoaib Bashir's delivery spun to hit Siraj's stumps, leaving him devastated. Hussain concluded, "This will be a tough loss for India. They have won many sessions in this series, but they are 2-1 down due to critical moments like collapses, dropped catches, and Pant's run-out. India needs a break; back-to-back Tests would be challenging for them."