ENG vs IND 2025: Where did India go wrong at Lord’s? Key moments that cost them the Test.
India’s hopes of taking control in the five-match Test series against England were dashed at Lord’s, where they suffered a heart-wrenching 22-run defeat in the third Test.
Despite several moments of dominance including bowling England out cheaply in the second innings and Ravindra Jadeja’s resilient 61* on the final day, India failed to cross the finish line in what should have been a modest chase of 193. The loss wasn’t just about a batting collapse; it reflected deeper issues in strategy, squad composition, and game management.
This wasn’t the first time India faltered in a fourth-innings chase under 200. In fact, the Lord’s defeat extended an unwanted pattern, highlighting recurring struggles with batting under pressure, over-reliance on a few players, and tactical missteps. The slow over-rate, the underwhelming contributions from the lower order, and a lack of clinical execution in key phases exposed vulnerabilities that England capitalised on smartly.
As the series now shifts to Old Trafford with England leading 2–1, questions swirl around Shubman Gill’s captaincy, team balance, and India’s readiness to adapt to English conditions. Let’s break down the key areas where India lost their grip on the game at the Home of Cricket.
Read More: ENG vs IND, 2025, 3rd Test, Day 5: India’s tail wags but falls short of 193 target; England 2-1 up
Let us now see where team India went wrong in the 3rd Test:
Pant’s run-out and momentum shift in first innings
India’s first innings at Lord’s was anchored by a brilliant 141-run stand between KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant, a partnership that brought much-needed stability after early wickets. Rahul played a composed knock, bringing up a well-crafted century with a strike rate of 56.49, while Pant counterattacked with flair, scoring 74 off 112 balls at a strike rate of 66.07. Together, they shifted the momentum and had India poised for a big total.
However, just when the duo looked set to push the game beyond England’s reach, disaster struck. Rishabh Pant was run out by a sharp piece of fielding from Ben Stokes, a moment that completely changed the complexion of the innings. The dismissal broke India’s rhythm, and what followed was a rapid collapse. From a commanding position, India were eventually bowled out for 387, a score that felt underwhelming considering the platform built by Rahul and Pant. The lower order as well could not continue the pace of runs for India. That single run-out shifted the tide, leaving India to rue a golden opportunity squandered.
Read More: ENG vs IND, 2025, Lord’s Test, Day 3: Did India lose their way post Rishabh Pant’s dismissal?
Top-order collapse sinks India’s chase at Lord’s
India’s second innings at Lord’s was marked by another top-order failure, undoing the good work their bowlers had done to keep the target within reach.
Chasing 193, the innings got off to a shaky start as Yashasvi Jaiswal threw away his wicket with a reckless shot off Jofra Archer. Instead of showing restraint in testing conditions, Jaiswal’s poor shot selection handed England an early breakthrough.
Things worsened when Shubman Gill, who had scored centuries in the first two Tests, was dismissed for just 6 runs by Brydon Carse. Gill failed to adapt to the tempo required in the chase, his early exit dealing a blow to India’s hopes of a steady start.
Rishabh Pant, who had played a crucial knock in the first innings, also fell cheaply, leaving India in deep trouble inside the first 15 overs. With pressure mounting and wickets tumbling, Karun Nair once again failed to make an impression. Nair, who was called for this series, has not been able to get going across all three Tests, raising concerns about his form and place in the XI.
With the top order crumbling and no one able to absorb the pressure or stitch meaningful partnerships, India quickly found themselves reeling at 58 for 4, an all-too-familiar collapse that handed England full control of the match.
The one bright spark in India’s fourth innings was Ravindra Jadeja, who remained unbeaten on 61 from 181 balls. It was a lesson in patience, grit, and technique under pressure. Unfortunately, the rest of the batting order didn’t rise with him.
Read More: Has Washington Sundar cemented his place in India XI after Ravichandran Ashwin’s retirement?
Missed chances & costly extras hurt India at Lord’s
At crucial times India’s fielding failed, including KL Rahul dropping Jamie Smith at second slip on just five- a sharp chance but a catch that should have been taken, especially given the context of the game and
England’s struggle to be on the front foot. Smith would go on to make a brisk 51 off 56 balls and suddenly breathe life into England’s first innings and get them to a competitive score. That chance was key in shifting the momentum just as India had its foot on England’s throat.
India further compounded their issues by bowling erratically in the second innings, resulting in 32 extras; 25 of which were byes. In a low-scoring match, and every run having proper value, errors like that hurt.
Although Dhruv Jurel, who was playing his Test as wicketkeeper, was generally fine behind the stumps; often, deliveries were too wayward to collect anyway. The pacers were primarily to blame, with varying lines and lengths, letting England gradually creep up to 200 without taking many risks.
In a game of fine margins, fielding errors and lost opportunities played a significant role in helping India let the match slip.
Read More: Karun Nair’s Test comeback marred by failure to convert starts
Failure to capitalise on big moments
India had England when they dismissed both their in-form batters Joe Root and Jamie Smith in their second innings. Joe Root and Ben Stokes’ 73-run partnership added vital runs that eventually pushed the target to 193, still very chaseable, but psychologically tougher.
In response, India’s batting imploded. Seven batters were dismissed before India reached 100. Even as Jadeja tried to anchor one end, wickets kept tumbling at the other. It was the same old story: an inability to close matches, especially in fourth-innings chases.
Lowest Targets India have failed to chase in Test Cricket:
Final Word
India didn’t lose at Lord’s due to one bad session—they lost because of a series of small but significant errors that compounded over five days. Whether it was dropped catches, continuing the momentum, underwhelming batting displays, or mental lapses at crucial moments, India let England back into a game they should have won.
The Test was a classic reminder: at Lord’s, even the smallest mistake can tilt the balance. If India want to level the series, they’ll need to regroup fast, reflect harder, and above all, respond smarter at Old Trafford.
Read More: How can India’s bowlers negate the Jamie Smith threat
