England defeat India by 22 runs in a dramatic Lord’s Test, taking a 2–1 lead in the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy series.
In a Test match that will go down as one of the most thrilling encounters between England and India, the hosts emerged victorious by 22 runs at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground on July 14, 2025. With this result, England now lead the five-match Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy series 2–1, taking the momentum as both teams head into the final two matches.
India, chasing a modest target of 193, were bowled out for 170 in a dramatic fourth innings that saw fortunes swing wildly throughout the day. While Ravindra Jadeja offered hope with a valiant unbeaten 61, the rest of the Indian batting lineup faltered against a charged-up England bowling attack.
The star of the final day was undoubtedly Jofra Archer, who delivered a fiery spell and picked up five wickets, reminding the world why he’s considered one of the most lethal pacers in world cricket. Archer, returning from injury, bowled with pace and purpose, unsettling Indian batters with bounce and hostility. His wild celebrations—especially after dismissing Shreyas Iyer—became a viral moment, though they may attract disciplinary action from the match referee.
The other major contributor was Ben Stokes, whose role as a bowler has become increasingly important. After picking up five wickets earlier in the match, he returned with his part-time off-spin and bagged three crucial wickets in India’s second innings, including that of the well-set KL Rahul, who had looked India’s best hope before falling for 39.
The tension on the field was matched by tension off it. There were multiple heated exchanges, most notably between Archer and Mohammed Siraj, and both players were seen animatedly gesturing at each other during and after overs. The ICC is expected to review footage, and fines or demerit points could be handed out.
This match also saw a historic moment as Indian captain Shubman Gill broke Rahul Dravid’s 23-year-old record for the most Test runs scored by an Indian in England, underlining his growth into a dependable leader and batter. Though Gill failed to convert his start in the second innings, his overall form has been one of the bright spots for India throughout the tour.
The match began with England posting 287 in their first innings, courtesy of a brisk 83 from Harry Brook and a lower-order flourish from Chris Woakes. India responded with 252, with Gill scoring a gritty 78 before being undone by Archer. England’s second innings was less impressive—they managed just 157, thanks to a stunning spell of reverse swing bowling by Jasprit Bumrah, who ended with figures of 4/29.
That set India a target of 193—challenging but chaseable. However, under cloudy skies and with the ball doing just enough, England’s bowlers ensured it wasn’t going to be an easy ride. India’s top order collapsed early, with Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Gill all back in the pavilion before lunch. Rahul and Jadeja steadied the ship with a 57-run partnership, but once Rahul fell, the tail was exposed.
Despite Jadeja’s resistance and some gutsy strokes, India fell short. The final wicket—a mistimed slog from Siraj—was caught by Stokes at mid-off, sealing a memorable win for England.
This match holds significance not just in the context of the series but also for what it represents about modern Test cricket. Shorter formats may dominate TV screens, but contests like this prove that the five-day format remains the purest, most gripping form of the game.
With the scoreline now at 2–1 in favor of England, both teams head to Old Trafford for the fourth Test starting July 23, followed by the final game at The Oval from July 31 to August 4. India have work to do if they hope to reclaim the series. Questions remain about the consistency of their middle order, the form of some senior players, and whether their bowlers can continue to deliver match-winning performances under pressure.
Meanwhile, England will be buoyed by their ability to win close matches—a trait that has become a hallmark of their red-ball revival under Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes. The return of Archer, the form of Woakes, and the depth in their batting have all clicked at the right time. But they’ll know India won’t back down.
The cricketing world now awaits the fourth Test. If it’s anything like this one, fans are in for another unforgettable battle.