by Rex Clementine
This India–England Test series has had more twists than a Bollywood thriller and the Lord’s encounter was no different, a contest that ebbed and flowed until the final session of day five. Heading into the last act, every result was on the cards, except a draw. In the end, England held their nerve, delivering a knockout blow to take a 2-1 lead.
There was no quarter asked, none given. A tie may well have been the fair result, that’s how evenly matched the two heavyweights were. But the gods had other plans. Mohammed Siraj’s dismissal, bowled in the unlikeliest of fashions as the ball dribbled onto his stumps and gently dislodged the bails, summed up India’s luck. On another day, the bails might have clung on. Not this time.
India, who had based themselves in Beckenham to keep out of the spotlight, will only arrive in Manchester on Saturday, just four days before the fourth Test at Old Trafford. There’s method in the madness; the quieter suburbs offer sanctuary from the media circus and star-struck diaspora that often overwhelms the Indian team in the bigger cities.
All eyes now turn to Jasprit Bumrah. India had signalled ahead of the tour that the ace quick would feature in just three Tests. Having already played at Headingley and Lord’s, the script suggests he might sit out in Old Trafford. But that logic doesn’t quite stack up.
What’s the use of preserving him for The Oval if the series slips away in Manchester? With the series on the line, Bumrah’s presence is non-negotiable. He must play in the fourth Test and reassess after that. It’s not about saving bullets; it’s about firing when the target’s still in sight.
There are fresh worries over Rishabh Pant as well. The flamboyant wicketkeeper took a painful blow to his left index finger while keeping at Lord’s. Although he gritted through the pain to bat in both innings, even a minor knock could aggravate the injury. A vital cog in India’s wheel, Pant may need to feature as a specialist batter if the gloves prove too risky.
England, meanwhile, are reaping the rewards of their long-term investment in Jofra Archer. There were doubters, plenty of them, when the ECB stuck by him through years of injury lay-offs, sending physios and trainers halfway across the world to Barbados. But the faith paid rich dividends at Lord’s. Archer cranked up the pace, rattled the Indians, and gave England the edge. Hats off to Rob Key, the returns on his patience are now being banked.
With Archer and Mark Wood operating in tandem, England’s attack wears a fearsome look. If the duo remains fit for The Oval and beyond, into the Ashes, it’s hard to see the urn slipping away.
Ben Stokes, too, continues to inspire. While medical experts may recommend short spells, Stokes goes by feel and when he’s in rhythm, there’s no stopping him. More often than not, he delivers just what the team needs. He’s the captain who leads with both bat and ball and with heart.
At Edgbaston, batters had a field day. But Lord’s was a different beast, a reality check. The ones with tighter technique stood tall, while the flashy strokemakers were found wanting. What Old Trafford has in store remains to be seen.
The last time the iconic Manchester ground hosted a Test, back in August 2024, conditions were treacherous. Seam, swing, and bitter cold. If those same elements return, India could be in for a stern test.
