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Deccan Herald
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Deccan Herald
India dig deep but England prevail
A slow‑burning contest that spectacularly sprang to life towards the end of the Moving Day, reached a thrilling conclusion. India fought tooth and nail until before going down to a determined England in a game for the ages in the third Test here on Monday. Resuming the final day of an engrossingly fought third Test at Lord's on 58/4 and needing another 135 runs to take a 2‑1 lead, India's hopes rested largely on the duo of KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant. They were the last remaining specialist batting pair and two of the most experienced players in the team. England skipper Ben Stokes (3/48) and Jofra Archer (3/55), playing his first Test in four years and picked for the crunch game purely on reputation rather than readiness for the rigours of five‑day cricket, however, put England on course for a massive win after leaving India reeling at 82/7. India, though, refused to throw in the towel and staged an incredible fightback with veteran Ravindra Jadeja (61 n.o., 181b) at the forefront of it with three nail‑biting partnerships that had everyone at the Home of Cricket on the edge of their seats. Jadeja, easily the Indian team's Most Valuable Player over the last decade, first forged a 30‑run stand for the eighth wicket with Nitish Kumar Reddy that was cut short at the stroke of lunch. At that stage, it looked dead and buried for India with another 81 runs needed and just two wickets in hand. One of them was Jasprit Bumrah, who had scored four successive ducks. England smelt blood and came charging in the post‑lunch session, but Bumrah soaked it all superbly to defy the hosts with sheer grit and gumption. He dead‑batted everything England threw at him, and with every defensive shot, he drew huge cheers from the massive Indian gathering, and confidence in Jadeja also started to grow. But this Test, in fact, series, has been such that every time a team seemingly has gained the momentum, things take a u‑turn. Bumrah, having batted for 104 minutes, went for a glory shot out of nowhere off Stokes and was caught at mid‑on. India, though, didn't give up with Mohammed Siraj slugging it out with Jadeja. Siraj even took a blow to his arm but soldiered on. It looked like he and Jadeja might pull off the impossible, but Shoaib Bashir dismissed him, the ball ricocheting off his bat onto the stumps as England wheeled away in celebrations. Siraj and Jadeja sunk in despair as the Indian innings folded up at 170, suffering a 22‑run loss. Earlier, Archer, hailed by Stokes as a genius who could change games with his pace and hostility, did exactly what the skipper proclaimed on the eve of the contest. Totally amped up following the war of words the two sides had been exchanging from late Saturday evening, the 30‑year‑old bowled with fire, passion, and deadly accuracy. The right‑armer, starting the attack along with Stokes, first dismissed Pant in his second over of the day with an absolute peach, the ball just straightening a shade after pitching, that left the wicketkeeper completely befuddled.
The Hindu
4 hours ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Jadeja played as much with his heart as with his head
Lord's was hot, and seeing Ben Stokes virtually bowl himself into the ground was tiring just watching from the stands. It was a final day tempered with the heat of Stokes and treated with the ice of Ravindra Jadeja. Exhaustion is not a feeling, it is a physical state; yet at the end of the day, exhaustion was the key emotion as Mohammed Siraj sank to the ground, bowled almost unfairly by a ball trickling onto the stumps, to be forever haunted by the question: could he have kicked it away if he had reacted quickly? Joe Root who ran to console him, appeared relieved it would remain a rhetorical question. Yet, for all of Stokes's heroics and England's sense of purpose, the man who dominated the day in his understated way was Jadeja. His fourth 50 of the series must count as one of India's great innings in a lost cause. For 22 overs, Jasprit Bumrah kept him company, the batters suggesting they might get them in singles. The fast bowler would defend and then shadow play the stroke he might have played — a perfect cover drive, for instance — had the circumstances been different. There was a calmness about the pair that contrasted with the hectic activity around as bowlers ran in, fielders spread out or closed in, and the crowd raised its decibel levels. No boundaries and few runs — yet you couldn't take your eyes away. Test cricket was demonstrating it doesn't need the artificiality of bang-bang cricket, that spectators can gasp and cheer at a defensive stroke, and when apparently nothing is happening, everything is. Sitting on the edge of the seat through five hours can be a rewarding if painful experience. Jadeja turns 37 this year, and despite his record, he was never in the frame for captaincy, and few cared for his cricketing opinions. He came, he saw, he did his job while the focus remained on the more glamorous. Yet, as a left-arm spinner he has more wickets at a lower average and better strike rate than Bishan Bedi; as a left handed batter a better strike rate than Sourav Ganguly, and as an all rounder a better batting average and both average and strike rate than Kapil Dev. Jadeja wouldn't automatically replace any of these players in an Indian team, but however misleading statistics might be, you have to acknowledge them. He has also been one of India's finest fielders, bearing comparison with Mohammed Azharuddin. Unselfish At Lord's he managed India's tail with all the assurance of a V.V.S. Laxman, unselfishly and without ego. At one point, it was England who looked ragged. Stokes, who bowled 20 overs on the day, was so tired he occasionally forgot he was captain and the fielders seemed uncertain where to go. Too tired even to wave his arms to move them, Stokes merely looked around and hoped for the best. There were eight men on the fence with only two wickets remaining, at times there was no slip. Jadeja, the support act to leading batters, was now the main feature as the wickets fell. At 112 for eight at lunch, it looked done. Yet, Jadeja kept the hopes of a nation alive, with an innings of rare intelligence and courage. Few Indian batters could be accused of throwing it away; none did so on the final day. Rahul had shown in his stint how stout defence might win the day, there was enough time. Many struggled. Joe Root, the best of them, made a century and a forty, but played and missed too many times and seemed out of sorts, finally getting bowled sweeping. Rahul's century in the first innings was more fluent, but it was left to India's No. 7 to play the innings of the match. Of the many might-have-beens is the question of extras. India conceded 63 in the match, 32 of them in England's second innings 192. They lost by 22 runs. Go figure, as Americans might say. In the final analysis, cricket is an individual sport. There is the bowler and there is the batter. Stokes's belief as bowler negated Jadeja's spirit as batter; everything else was secondary. England can be proud. So can India.
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First Post
4 hours ago
- Sport
- First Post
Ganguly joins chorus expressing disappointment over India's failed run-chase at Lord's: 'Especially with quality of…'
India surrendered the series lead to England once again after suffering a 22-run defeat in their chase of the 193-run target at Lord's on Monday. Former India captain Sourav Ganguly was the latest Indian cricketer to react to the result at the 'Home of Cricket'. read more Former India captain Sourav Ganguly praised Ravindra Jadeja for his fight on the final day of the Lord's Test but was disappointed with the result. Reuters/PTI Former India captain Sourav Ganguly was among those expressing disappointment at the Shubman Gill-led side's inability to chase down 193 in the third Test at Lord's on Monday. India surrendered the series lead to the Ben Stokes-led English team once again after suffering a 22-run defeat at the 'Home of Cricket'. What's more, a majority of senior batters including captain Shubman Gill failed to deliver under pressure and was it was left to all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and the rest of the lower-order to get India within touching distance of the target. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Also Read | Jadeja deserved his own Headingley 2019 moment at Lord's, but India just could not muster enough resolve Ganguly, one of India's greatest captains as well as batters, felt India should have got over the line at the iconic venue, especially with the 'quality of batsmanship' that they possess in their ranks. 'A little bit disappointed with the way India batted in this series, they should have got this 190,' remarked Ganguly at the Indian Racing League & F4 India Championship event here on Tuesday. 'When you see Jadeja fight and score the runs, and the batting quality in this team, they will be more disappointed than I am because it was an opportunity to get 2-1 up in the series against England. 'I am sure that they will be disappointed not getting to 190 especially with the quality of batsmanship they have in that dressing room,' 'Dada' added. What Gavaskar and Kumble had said on Jadeja and India's chase Ganguly was by no means the only former Indian cricketer reacting to the Lord's result with disappointment. Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar had earlier stated that Jadeja could have taken a few more chances against off-spinners Shoaib Bashir and Joe Root while batting cautiously against the red-hot quicks. 'You could say that Jadeja could have taken the odd chance and not necessarily the aerial route when Joe Root and Shoaib Bashir was bowling. But full marks to him (Jadeja),' former India opener and captain Gavaskar said on Sony Sports. 'I thought when Bashir came to bowl, Jadeja could have taken a chance. The second time was when Bumrah was batting with him, because Stokes was fielding inside the circle at mid-off. So he could have scored a boundary there, especially when Joe Root was bowling. Later when Siraj came to bat, Stokes stationed himself near the boundary rope,' he added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Also Read | 'Captain wasn't the same...': Ex-India players point out mistakes that cost Lord's Test Spin legend Anil Kumble, Ganguly's former teammate, echoed Gavaskar's opinion, adding that a set Jadeja – collected a total of four boundaries and a six during his unbeaten 61 off 181 deliveries – could have also attacked seam-bowling all-rounder Chris Woakes. 'The two bowlers he could have potentially taken on were Chris Woakes, who is slightly slower in the air, and then Bashir and Joe Root. I know they're off-spinners taking the ball away, but it wasn't turning square. So there wasn't a lot to worry about in terms of spin or the outside edge. Jadeja has played on tougher pitches and against better bowling. I thought he could have taken a chance,' Kumble, also an ex-India captain, said. India travel to Manchester, where the fourth Test against England gets underway at Old Trafford on 23 July before returning to London for the fifth Test at The Oval starting 31 July. They find themselves facing a must-win situation in Manchester if they are to keep their hopes of a first Test series victory in England in 18 years alive. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Kuwait Times
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Kuwait Times
India's cricket stars consoled by King Charles after Lord's defeat
Jadeja hailed for taking India close but Gavaskar rues lack of risk LONDON/NEW DELHI: Britain's King Charles III commiserated with India's crestfallen cricket stars on Tuesday in the aftermath of their painful defeat against England at Lord's. Charles consoled members of the Indian team when he hosted them at his Clarence House home less than 24 hours after the third Test ended in an agonizing loss for the tourists. India, chasing 193 to win, were beaten by 22 runs in the final session of the last day. India's Mohammed Siraj was the last man out when he attempted to block a delivery from Shoaib Bashir, only to see the ball spin back onto the stumps and dislodge a bail. The King told India captain Shubman Gill he had watched the crucial last wicket fall on television on Monday. He said in sympathy about the dramatic spin on the ball that dismissed Siraj; 'really annoying just to touch the bails'. India trail 2-1 in the five-match series, with the fourth Test scheduled for Old Trafford next week before the finale at The Oval in London. Gill added: 'He did tell us that the way our last batsman got out was quite unfortunate - the ball rolling on the stumps, and he was just asking us how did we feel after that. 'And we told him it was an unfortunate match for us, but it could have gone either way and hopefully we'll have better luck in both the next games.' Jadeja praised Ravindra Jadeja was praised Tuesday for almost taking India to an unlikely Test win at Lord's, but former greats said a little more risk-taking with the bat might have got his side over the line. Jadeja, batting at number seven, hit a painstaking unbeaten 61 as he shepherded the tail from 112-8 at lunch chasing 193 for victory against England in the third Test. But he eventually ran out of partners after more than four hours at the crease as India were all out for 170 after tea on a nerve-shredding final day. Jadeja, who came in at 71-5 and saw India slump to 112-8 at lunch, chose to protect Jasprit Bumrah and from England's attack by scoring singles to keep the strike and controlling his attacking instincts. Former batting great Sunil Gavaskar said on Sony Sports that scoring quicker and putting pressure back on England's bowlers might have resulted in 'a partnership of 60-70 would have made a difference'. 'India never got that (partnership),' he said. 'You could say that Jadeja could have taken the odd chance and not necessarily the aerial route when Joe Root and Shoaib Bashir were bowling. But full marks to him (Jadeja).' Jadeja hit just four fours and one six in his 181-ball stay before Bashir bowled number 11 Siraj to trigger jubilant England celebrations. 'I'd like to look a little deeper into that whole innings,' former batsman Sanjay Manjrekar said on ESPNcricinfo. 'There was one attempt at playing a shot that went for six. But I don't think there were too many attempted attacking shots. For me, one telling moment was when he got to his fifty and India were still a few runs short. You saw the reaction of the dressing room there were people applauding but I don't think there was excitement around and belief that Jadeja would take them through.' India's greatest batsman Sachin Tendulkar lamented: 'So near, yet so far.' 'Jadeja, Bumrah, & Siraj fought all the way till the end,' he posted on X. 'Well tried, Team India. England played well to keep the pressure on and produced the result they desired. Congratulations on a hard-fought win.' — AFP
India Today
5 hours ago
- Sport
- India Today
India should have chased 193: Sourav Ganguly disappointed after Lord's Test defeat
Sourav Ganguly expressed disappointment after India failed to cross the finish line in the third Test against England at Lord's Cricket Ground. On Monday, the Three Lions secured the narrowest victory by just 22 runs at the Home of Cricket, taking a 2-1 lead in the three-match 193, India were bowled out for 170 in 74.5 overs. Ganguly said that, considering India's strong batting performance earlier in the series, he was disappointed to see the batting little bit disappointed with the way India batted in this series, they should have got this 190,' Ganguly said at the Indian Racing League & F4 India Championship on Tuesday.'Jadeja has been exceptional' Ganguly was also impressed with Ravindra Jadeja's performance at Lord's. Jadeja scored 72 runs in the first innings and followed it up with a gritty 61-run knock in the second innings. In the second innings, Jadeja was left stranded at the non-striker's end when Shoaib Bashir dismissed Mohammed Siraj, bringing the match to an end.'When you saw Jadeja fight and score the runs, batting quality in this team and they will be more disappointed then I am because it was an opportunity to get 2-1 up in the series against England.'Jadeja has been exceptional, he is going to continue to play for India as long as he bats and performs like this.''He has been around for a long time. He has played some 80 Test matches and more than 200 one-day games. You can see him batting, bowling, and fielding. He is a special player and his batting has really improved over the years with the experience. He is a special player and very important part of this team,' Ganguly fourth Test is scheduled to start on July 23 at the Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester as India look to draw level in the series.- EndsMust Watch
