London, July 14, 2025 – Day 4 of the third Test at Lord’s turned into a fiery showdown as India’s chase of 193 against England sparked drama. With both teams tied at 387 in their first innings, England’s second innings collapse and India’s wobbly start set pulses racing.
England began at 2/0, but India’s bowlers lit up the morning. Mohammed Siraj struck, dismissing Ben Duckett for 23, caught by Rishabh Pant. Nitish Kumar Reddy removed Zak Crawley for 22, with Yashasvi Jaiswal pouching a sharp catch. Harry Brook’s 26, with blazing boundaries and a six off Akash Deep, ended when Jaiswal caught him off Reddy. Joe Root’s gritty 40 couldn’t stop the slide as Washington Sundar’s 4/22, including Root, Jamie Smith, Ben Stokes, and Shoaib Bashir, triggered a collapse. England lost six wickets for 38, bowled out for 192 in 62.1 overs, leaving India a tricky 193 to chase.
India’s reply started with a jolt. Jofra Archer dismissed Jaiswal for 0, caught by Jamie Smith off a top-edged pull. KL Rahul and Karun Nair steadied things at 41/1, but Brydon Carse unleashed chaos. Nair, on 14, misjudged a nip-backer and was lbw. Shubman Gill, India’s fiery captain, fell for 6 to Carse, lbw after a tense review. Akash Deep, sent in as nightwatchman, was bowled by Stokes for 0 just before stumps. India ended at 58/4 after 17.4 overs, with Rahul (33*) and Pant holding fort, needing 135 more.
Tensions flared after Day 3’s heated exchange, where Gill blasted England’s time-wasting tactics, gesturing at Zak Crawley. The Lord’s crowd booed, adding fuel to the rivalry. Carse’s fiery spell and Stokes’ late strike kept England buzzing, while Rahul’s calm defiance gave India hope. The pitch, offering seam and spin, promises a nail-biting Day 5. With tempers high and the series at 1-1, this Test is a powder keg ready to explode.
