Jadeja’s Lone Stand Falls Short as England Clinch Thrilling Win at Lord’s

On a day that marked the anniversary of England’s 2019 World Cup triumph, Ben Stokes led his side to another unforgettable victory at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground. In a match that swayed dramatically over five intense days, England edged India by 22 runs in one of the closest Test victories in the venue’s storied history.

Set a target of 193, India began the final day needing 135 runs with six wickets in hand. What followed was a fierce battle of attrition, with England’s bowlers — led by a tireless Ben Stokes and a fiery Jofra Archer — turning up the heat in a gripping final session. Despite Ravindra Jadeja’s defiant, unbeaten 61, India fell agonizingly short.

A Gritty Morning and Spirited Fightback

The day began with tension in the air, and it only escalated when Archer produced a sensational delivery to dismiss Rishabh Pant in the third over. The fiery fast bowler, playing his first Test in four years, celebrated the moment with uncharacteristic intensity, confronting Pant after the dismissal. Archer later added the scalp of Shubman Gill, while Stokes removed KL Rahul via a successful review to leave India teetering.

India’s slide — losing three wickets for just 11 runs — was arrested by a composed stand between Jadeja and debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy. Their 30-run partnership off 89 balls brought some calm, but Chris Woakes’ timely intervention before lunch removed Reddy and tilted the balance once again.

Jadeja's Resistance

Ravindra Jadeja stood firm even as wickets fell around him. After surviving a close lbw call against Woakes, which was overturned on DRS, Jadeja launched the very next ball into the stands — a rare release of emotion in an otherwise composed innings.

With Jasprit Bumrah, Jadeja stitched a gritty ninth-wicket stand, surviving 131 deliveries and inching India closer to an unlikely victory. Bumrah resisted admirably for 53 balls but fell to a short delivery from Stokes — a shot he had been warned against by his partner at the other end. The top edge triggered jubilation among the England ranks.

A Fitting Finale

The match reached its climax in the fifth over after tea. Shoaib Bashir, bowling with a fractured finger, delivered a crucial ball that spun off the middle of Mohammed Siraj’s bat and cannoned into the stumps. Siraj slumped in disbelief, while Bashir sprinted skyward in celebration, having sealed a famous win for England.

For Stokes, it was a personal triumph as much as a team one. In a heroic display of endurance, the England captain bowled marathon spells — 19.2 overs in the day — refusing to rest. At one point, even an Indian batter had to ask him for permission to take a bathroom break.

Stokes was everywhere: setting fields, bowling relentlessly, reviewing decisions, and driving his teammates forward. When victory finally came, he stood still — too exhausted to join the celebrations. His teammates, however, ran to him, knowing full well who had carried them over the line.

Score Summary:

England: 387 & 192 (Joe Root 40, Washington Sundar 4-22)
India: 387 & 170 (Ravindra Jadeja 61*, Stokes 3-48, Archer 3-55)
Result: England won by 22 runs

As the sun set over Lord’s, India were left to rue a missed opportunity and ask "what if", while England basked in a win that showcased heart, grit, and their captain’s indomitable will.