KL Rahul Shines Under Pressure at Lord’s

Test cricket at Lord’s rarely disappoints, does it? On Day 3 of the third Test between India and England, KL Rahul put on a show. His composed century wasn’t just stylish—it arrived when India needed calm most, especially after a rocky start. Rahul’s 100 came off 177 balls, packed with patience and class. He joined a pretty exclusive club, becoming only the second Indian—after Dilip Vengsarkar—to notch multiple Test tons at the hallowed ground.

Nobody could accuse Rishabh Pant of playing it safe. Even with a taped-up finger, Pant brought momentum back into India's innings with a breezy 74. His attacking mindset made life tough for the English bowlers, and a 141-run partnership with Rahul looked like it would carry India through lunch without fuss. But a sharp run-out engineered by Ben Stokes right before the break cut Pant’s stay short, proving once again, Test cricket loves drama before a big meal.

Late Wickets Shift Momentum as Emotions Boil Over

After Pant’s exit, it felt like a door had quietly closed on India’s dreams of a huge first-innings lead. Rahul followed soon after reaching his landmark, falling to some clever bowling. As he walked off, the sense of poise in India’s line-up seemed to go with him. The middle order started wobbling. Ajinkya Rahane and Shardul Thakur didn’t hang around long, suddenly giving England’s bowlers a spring in their step.

Luckily, Ravindra Jadeja proved to be the perfect insurance policy. He played with the sort of composure that’s become his trademark, notching his third consecutive Test half-century. However, as the lower order ran out of steam, India’s chase for a sizeable lead fizzled. Still, by the time the umpires called stumps, India’s 385 all but matched England’s 387—keeping the contest just about even.

The closing overs weren’t just about bat and ball. Shubman Gill, clearly frustrated with England slowing down play, squared up to Zak Crawley. The umpires had to get between them before things got out of hand, and the mild needle could set the tone for the rest of the match. England, starting their second innings with only a two-run cushion, finished two for no loss, with both Crawley and Ben Duckett looking cautious.

• KL Rahul’s 100—Built on resilience, a textbook Lord’s hundred.
• Rishabh Pant flames bright—74 off 84 balls, injury no barrier.
• Jadeja’s third consecutive fifty—fighting spirit in tough times.
• England’s late burst—capitalized on Rahul’s wicket to stage a comeback.
• Closing drama—Gill and Crawley exchange words, raising the stakes.

With just two runs separating the teams and so much tension in the air, this Test feels like it could tip either way. As the action shifts to Day 4, both sides know every session could decide not just this match, but the entire series.