India came heartbreakingly close to an extraordinary win at Lord’s. Shubman Gill reflected that they had timed their strategy perfectly—India were optimistic of forcing England into taking the second new ball, hoping to chase down the final 12–15 runs and snatch victory. With just 5.1 overs to go, they might have done it—until Siraj’s startling dismissal, when he played on to Shoaib Bashir’s off-break, ending a gritty 23-run last-wicket stand alongside Jadeja . Earlier, Bumrah and Jadeja’s 35-run stand over 22 overs had visibly unnerved England, who were battling a lifeless pitch, a soft Dukes ball, and a Lord’s crowd chanting for India .
In the final innings, Jasprit Bumrah faced a fierce barrage: Ben Stokes unleashed 15 short or short-of-length deliveries in a punishing spell. Repeated hook and ramp attempts saw Bumrah hemmed in by leg-side heavy fields; eventually, impatience led to an ill-timed pull, and he skyed a catch in the gully—Stokes’s fielders pounced, and England erupted in delight as Bumrah trudged off “as if walking on crushed glass” .
Gill, surface-level composure regained, and his teammates, including Bumrah—celebrated for a five-for in the first innings—and Pant, who ran himself out at 74, quietly roamed Lord’s recovering from “what might’ve been.” Gill’s candour captured the mood: “every five‑six runs… we could see pressure coming on them… a small partnership of 30‑40 runs could make such a huge difference… we were quite optimistic… you never know… you are right back on the top” .India were 22 runs short of a historic victory—one that slipped through their fingers by the slimmest of margins.
