LONDON– A resilient Ravindra Jadeja notched his fourth consecutive half-century in Test cricket, dragging the third Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series into a tense final session. At tea on Day 5, India stood at 163/9 in 70 overs, needing 30 more runs for a miraculous win, while England required just one wicket to seal a hard-fought victory.
Jadeja’s determined stand—calm, composed, and unwavering—was backed by stubborn resistance from Jasprit Bumrah and later Mohammed Siraj. Their efforts have kept India in the fight, turning what seemed a foregone conclusion into a gripping finish.
The post-lunch session began with Jadeja flicking Jofra Archer for four. Bumrah, showing impressive defiance, followed with a pulled boundary off the pacer. England responded by tightening the field, bringing men in to prevent singles, but the Indian tailenders refused to yield.
Jadeja had a slice of fortune on 26 when he was given out lbw to Chris Woakes. A review overturned the decision, with replays confirming the ball struck outside the off-stump. Adding insult to injury for England, Jadeja then stepped out and launched Woakes for a six over deep mid-wicket.
During a cautious phase of play between overs 50 and 54, Jadeja took singles off fourth deliveries, leaving Bumrah to see out the remaining two balls—a pattern that momentarily frustrated England’s attack.
Shoaib Bashir broke the rhythm with a maiden over, while Bumrah bravely weathered a barrage of short balls from a fired-up Ben Stokes. Bumrah even helped reduce the deficit with four leg byes off Bashir.
Stokes’ persistent short-ball tactic finally worked when he tempted Bumrah into pulling a wide delivery. The top edge flew to substitute fielder Sam Cook at mid-on, ending Bumrah’s gritty 34-ball stay for five runs. His partnership with Jadeja—35 runs off 132 balls—had given India hope and England anxiety.
With the tea interval extended by 30 minutes due to the tense finish, Jadeja brought up his 50 in style, flashing Ben Stokes over the slips for a boundary—his half-century coming off 150 balls. He celebrated quietly, walking off for the break alongside an equally resolute Siraj, who held firm against England’s short-pitched assault. The Indian duo was cheered on by a hopeful crowd, sensing a potential miracle.
Brief Scores:
England 387 & 192
lead India 387 & 163/9 in 70 overs (Ravindra Jadeja 56*; KL Rahul 39; Ben Stokes 3-48, Jofra Archer 3-52)
India need 30 runs to win; England need 1 wicket (Source: IANS)
