Day 3 of the third Test between India and England at Lord's unfolded with a gripping mix of brilliant batting, tactical brilliance, and a controversial run-out that has left fans and experts buzzing. The match, part of the fiercely contested Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, saw India and England locked in a nail-biting contest with both sides having scored 387 in their first innings, setting the stage for an intense second-innings battle.
India resumed their innings trailing England by 242 runs, with KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant at the crease. Pant, nursing a finger injury sustained on Day 1, was in fine form, displaying his characteristic attacking flair. He scored 74 runs before his dismissal, while Rahul was on the cusp of a century, having reached 98 at the lunch interval. The duo had forged a vital fourth-wicket partnership worth 141 runs, which kept India firmly in contention.
The morning session was a display of skill and determination from the Indian batsmen. Pant, despite his injury, played with admirable grit, carving a 55-ball fifty highlighted by a memorable six over the leg side off England captain Ben Stokes. Rahul, meanwhile, showed patience and precision, driving and glancing the ball elegantly to accumulate runs steadily. Their partnership helped India add 103 runs in the first session alone, closing in on England's total.
However, the momentum swung dramatically just before lunch when a moment of misjudgment led to Pant's run-out. KL Rahul, batting on 98, called Pant for a risky single off Shoaib Bashir's bowling. Pant, slow to respond, was brilliantly run out by Ben Stokes with a direct hit from cover-point. This dismissal, coming at a crucial juncture, sparked a wave of criticism from fans and commentators alike.
The run-out was described as "not needed" by former India batsman Cheteshwar Pujara, who was commentating live. "I don't know whether it was Rishabh or KL who wanted that run. Things were going so smoothly. Rishabh will be disappointed with that," he said. Social media erupted with the phrase "Stupid, stupid, stupid" trending on X, a term first coined by Sunil Gavaskar in reference to Pant, reflecting fans' frustration over the needless loss of a key wicket.
Former India coach Ravi Shastri praised Stokes' alertness and presence of mind, calling the run-out "phenomenal" and "fantastic cricket." Shastri noted, "He understood Pant could be the man in danger in the spur of the moment, and he spun around and hit the stumps. That was fantastic cricket. Great presence of mind." Mel Jones, former Australian women's cricketer, echoed this sentiment, applauding Stokes' leadership and strategic thinking.
Despite Pant's dismissal, KL Rahul reached his century soon after lunch, completing his 10th Test hundred in 61 matches and his second at Lord's. His innings, comprising 13 fours over 176 balls, was a masterclass in composure and technique. Unfortunately, Rahul was dismissed immediately after his milestone, edging a delivery from Bashir to slip, leaving India at 254-5.
Ravindra Jadeja and Nitish Kumar Reddy then steadied the innings with a patient 72-run partnership over 27 overs. Jadeja, continuing his rich vein of form with a third successive fifty, showcased his all-round abilities by driving part-time spinner Joe Root for boundaries and even lofting him for six. However, wickets fell regularly after this stand, with Jadeja, Reddy, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, and Washington Sundar all dismissed as England clawed back into the contest.
The day also witnessed some tense moments off the field. England's Zak Crawley called for a physio break just as stumps approached, which was perceived as a tactic to waste time. This led to a heated exchange between Crawley and Indian captain Shubman Gill, highlighting the mounting pressure on both sides.
England closed the day at 2-0 in their second innings, maintaining a 2-run lead, with play set to resume at 11:00 BST on Day 4. The pitch at Lord's, known for its flatness and slow deterioration, promises an intriguing battle ahead, where every run and wicket will be fiercely contested.
Throughout the series, Rishabh Pant has been a standout performer, now second on the list of most runs in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy with 416, trailing only Shubman Gill's 601. His aggressive style and ability to counterattack have been crucial for India, but the recent run-out has served as a reminder of how fine the margins can be in Test cricket.
As the match stands finely poised, both teams will be looking to leverage their strengths in the remaining sessions. England's all-rounders, especially Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer, have been effective with the ball, each picking up key wickets. The Indian batting lineup, though tested, still has depth with players like Jadeja and Sundar ready to contribute.
The third Test at Lord's continues to captivate cricket fans worldwide, showcasing the drama, skill, and unpredictability that make the sport so enthralling. With the series level at 1-1, the stakes couldn't be higher as both sides vie for supremacy in this historic contest.
