Stokes inspires England to win over stubborn India
London
Ben Stokes once again inspired England to a 22-run win over a stubborn India on an unbearably tense final day of the third Test at Lord's on Monday, reports BBC.com.
The captain delivered a monumental shift with the ball to claim three wickets as India were bowled out for 170.
In an epic conclusion, the hosts had victory in their grasp until nerves were frayed by outstanding defiance from Ravindra Jadeja.
Speaking soon after the thrilling match, England captain Ben Stokes, told BBC Test Match Special: 'Day five, Test match on the line - I have some history of turning up in moments like that with the ball. I was pretty pumped.'
India captain Shubman Gill said, 'Tough luck, but the way we went out in the position in the morning to make a comeback like this was tremendous from Ravindra Jadeja and the low order.
'When you play these kind of Test matches with both teams giving everything they have, there is always admiration at the end.'
Chasing 193, India were 112-8 when Jadeja was joined by number 10 Jasprit Bumrah. They were together for almost 22 overs before Stokes, who bowled tirelessly from the Nursery End, drew Bumrah into a pull to mid-on.
Bumrah's contribution to a stand of 35 was five from 54 balls.
Still Jadeja resisted, this time with last man Mohammed Siraj. Stokes refused to stop bowling. A delayed tea was taken with 30 required for India.
The injured Shoaib Bashir was summoned after the break, and incredibly got Siraj to defend the ball into the ground and back on to his stumps. Bashir, who has an injured finger on his non-bowling hand, set off on a delirious celebration, his last act of the series after he was ruled out of the final two Tests. Jadeja was left stranded on 61 from 181 balls.
The drawn-out finale was a direct contrast to a pulsating morning, when Stokes and Jofra Archer broke open the India batting with some irresistible pace bowling.
Archer ripped Rishabh Pant's off stump out of the ground, Stokes had KL Rahul lbw on review for 39. Washington Sundar, who confidently told the media on Sunday night 'India will win', was sensationally held by Archer's agile swoop in his follow-through.
Jadeja began his vigil, first alongside Nitish Kumar Reddy for 15 overs, then Bumrah. Jadeja and Brydon Carse had to be separated after an accidental collision while Jadeja was running between the wickets.
England tried everything and thought they had Jadeja until he overturned being given lbw to Chris Woakes on 26. Once again, Stokes decided it was up to him.
After a spell of 9.2 overs in the morning, the talismanic captain launched into another of 10 up to tea. Bashir had the moment of glory, but it was Stokes who carried England on his back.
Archer was below-par on Sunday evening, but back to his best on Monday when India resumed on 58-4. Although he was in discomfort, Pant was India's key man. He charged to slap Archer straight for four. Next ball, Archer was just under 90mph, Pant was stuck on the crease and off stump obliterated. A fired-up Archer had words for Pant.
Stokes, supposedly protecting his fragile body, bowled virtually all day. The delivery to get Rahul was an arcing inswinger, the appeal turned down on the field, then overturned by the replay.
England coach Brendon McCullum hung off the dressing-room balcony to point to Sundar as he arrived, and the home team had plenty to say. He lasted only four balls before a leading edge was spectacularly held by Archer.
Stokes eventually gave way to Woakes, who only needed nine balls to find the edge of Reddy. Lunch was taken, India needed 81 and Jadeja had only the bowlers for company.
What happened next was utterly unexpected. Jadeja farmed the strike and Bumrah held up his end. Bar a Jadeja flick for six off Woakes, the score crawled along. When singles were taken, they were greeted by raucous noise from the India fans. England fielders ran everywhere, the hosts looked unnerved.
Stokes launched into a back-breaking spell of bouncers to finally draw the swipe from Bumrah when 46 were required. Stokes finally ended his second spell at the tea interval.
Archer peppered Siraj, but it was the unlikely Bashir who proved England's hero. It was cruel on Jadeja, who could not have given more.
England will be forced into one change for the fourth Test at Old Trafford on 23 July, with Bashir out because of a broken finger. India will wait on the fitness of Pant, who also has a finger injury.
Scores: England 387 & 192 (Root 40, Washington 4-22) beat India 387 & 170 (Jadeja 61*, Stokes 3-48, Archer 3-55) by 22 runs.
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