India’s heartbreaking 22-run loss to England in the Lord’s Test (July 2025) left fans and pundits questioning: How did they let victory slip when it was within reach? Here’s a comprehensive look including all crucial details at the turning points and lessons from the match.
1. The Morning Collapse That Changed Everything
India began the final day at 58 for 4, chasing 190. With six wickets in hand and just 135 runs to get, hopes were high. But within an hour, the script flipped.
- Rishabh Pant, already under pressure after a game-shifting run-out in the first innings, fell early once again.
- KL Rahul, who’d had a forgettable Test, was trapped LBW by Ben Stokes he had also dropped Jamie Smith in the first innings, a miss that cost dearly.
- Washington Sundar bagged a duck, adding to the growing panic.
- Nitish Reddy edged one behind just as India needed someone to hold fort.
2. Defensive Mindset
- Instead of counterattacking or rotating the strike, many batters seemed content to merely survive. That strategy didn’t work.
- Cricketing voices like Sunil Gavaskar and Herschelle Gibbs were critical, suggesting that a quickfire 60-70-run stand early on could’ve sealed the game for India.
- Apart from Jadeja, the lower order failed to show intent or shift the pressure back onto England’s bowlers.
3. Lack of Partnerships
- No stand crossed the 40-run mark in the second innings.
- Wickets kept falling from one end, and even Jadeja’s grit wasn’t enough to build around.
You can’t win a tight chase without partnerships and India just couldn’t string one together. To their credit, Bumrah and Siraj showed heart by staying out there and giving Jadeja company, but it was a case of too little, too late.
4. The Drop Catch That Cost India the Match
Of all the moments India will regret, KL Rahul’s dropped catch of Jamie Smith might haunt them the longest. Smith was still settling in when the chance came and went. He went on to score a century, and England added more than 100 runs after that drop. In a match decided by just 22 runs, that proved decisive.
5. Too Many Extras
India conceded 63 extras yes, you read that right. More than most England batters managed individually. These weren’t just numbers on a scorecard—they were free runs that kept England in the fight and ultimately gave them the cushion they needed.
6. Pant’s Costly First Innings Run Out
In hindsight, Pant’s run-out in the first innings may have been the first crack in India’s chances. He was batting well alongside Rahul, who was approaching a century. The partnership looked set to build something big until confusion between the wickets ended Pant’s stay. Momentum shifted, and England pounced.
7. Jadeja’s Lone Battle
- If there was a silver lining, it was Ravindra Jadeja. His unbeaten 61 off 181 balls was a masterclass in patience and determination.
- He farmed the strike, guided the tail, and kept hope alive. Bumrah and Siraj, though not scoring heavily, did their bit by sticking around and frustrating England.
- But once Siraj fell, it was all over. Jadeja was left stranded deserved better, but Test cricket can be cruel.
Conclusion: Lessons for India
India squandered a golden chance at Lord’s due to a combination of early wickets, fielding errors, defensive tactics, lack of partnerships, and undisciplined bowling. To avoid repeat heartbreaks, the team needs to:
- Play with clarity and intent under pressure,
- Minimize costly fielding lapses,
- Strengthen lower-order partnerships,
- Maintain bowling discipline, especially in crunch situations.
Written by – Kinjal
