India Falls Short Again, Chasing Under 200 Against England

India suffered a disappointing defeat against England, falling 22 runs short in their chase of a modest target of 193 runs on Day 5 of the third Test at Lord’s. Despite a resilient performance from Ravindra Jadeja, who scored an unbeaten 61 runs, India was bowled out for 170, giving England a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

This loss marks a rare occurrence in modern Test cricket. Since mid-2019, teams set a target of less than 200 runs in men’s Tests have successfully chased down that target on 54 out of 57 occasions. The only two teams to fail in that scenario have been India, first against New Zealand in Mumbai in 2021 and now at Lord’s.

India began Day 5 at 58 for 4, needing only 135 runs for victory. However, the team’s hopes were quickly dashed when KL Rahul, who contributed 39 runs, was trapped lbw by Ben Stokes. The initial decision was overturned upon review, giving England momentum that they capitalized on.

With a finger injury hampering his performance, Rishabh Pant managed to fight briefly before being dismissed by a sharp delivery from Jofra Archer. Archer, making his return to Test cricket after a four-year hiatus, delivered a stunning performance, securing three wickets in the second innings and a total of five wickets in the match.

Stokes also showcased his skills, ending with five wickets overall in a relentless effort. Jadeja’s late resistance included partnerships with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, bringing India within striking distance. Unfortunately, the lower order crumbled, extinguishing India’s hopes for a comeback.

In the first innings, both teams posted identical scores of 387 runs. However, England’s second innings total of 192 proved crucial, as conditions on the pitch deteriorated, complicating batting efforts.

As India prepares for the fourth Test at Old Trafford starting on July 23, 2023, they will carry not only a 2-1 series deficit but also the burden of a missed opportunity in a chase that, statistically, should have been within their grasp.

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