IND Vs ENG Test Series: What Next For India After Lord’s Heartbreak?

In the aftermath of a gripping Test match that swung on fine margins, India are left to reflect, regroup, and reset with two matches still to play in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. India’s 22-run defeat at Lord’s wasn’t just a loss on the scoreboard—it was a gut punch delivered after 55 overs of lower-order defiance, heartbreak, and what-ifs.

From Rishabh Pant’s run-out to Mohammed Siraj’s tragic dismissal with just 23 runs left to get, it was a Test that India will look back on with a tinge of regret and a whole lot of pride. Shubman Gill, reflecting on the game, hinted at both the agony of missed moments and the promise of what lies ahead.

“We Were Quite Optimistic” — Gill On The Final Hour

India’s lower order had almost pulled off a heist. Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah soaked up 131 deliveries together, with Siraj later showing heart in a gritty stand that threatened to tilt the balance. England were 5.1 overs away from taking the second new ball when Shoaib Bashir’s off-break snuck under Siraj’s bat, clipped the inside edge, and cannoned into the stumps—an anti-climactic end to a gripping resistance.

“When Bumrah bhai and Jaddu bhai were batting, every five-six runs that we were scoring, we could see there was pressure coming on them [England],” Gill said after the match. “We were quite optimistic when Siraj was batting… if we could just get it down to 12-15 runs with the second new ball, you never know.”

Instead, Lord’s bore witness to yet another dramatic collapse under pressure, reminiscent of other near-misses in India’s Test past.

Pant’s Run-Out: The Sliding Doors Moment

One of the most debated moments came just before lunch on Day 3. With KL Rahul batting on 98, Rishabh Pant called for a tight single. But Ben Stokes swooped, threw, and struck direct—Pant was out for 74, sprawled mid-pitch. The 141-run stand was broken just as it looked poised to flip the match India’s way.

“The most important moment for us was the Rishabh run out,” Gill admitted. “It was an error of judgment... It can happen to anyone.” Rahul later took the blame, admitting he had told Pant he wanted to reach his century before lunch. India, level with England on first innings scores, had thrown away a potential 50-run cushion.

That moment would come to loom large, especially as Day 5 turned into a low-scoring arm wrestle.

Learning from Lord’s and Looking to Manchester

India are now 2-1 down in the series with two Tests to go. With Bumrah and Jadeja standing tall, and the middle order slowly rediscovering its rhythm, the building blocks are visible. But India’s next steps hinge on mindset and clarity.

“Our lower order and tail have not been contributing that much in the previous two Tests,” Gill pointed out, “but the character and courage that they showed was tremendous.”

He was also generous in praise for Ben Stokes, whose 14-over marathon spell on Day 5 set the tone for England’s dramatic finish. “The kind of effort him and his team put in, it was truly commendable. At the end of the day… they were the better team today.”

Still, India’s bowlers have held their own. The team’s balance is getting better, and Jadeja, with four straight fifties, remains a lynchpin. What India need next is composure under pressure, smarter decision-making, and perhaps a bit of luck—because the margins in this series have proven razor-thin.

The next stop is Old Trafford, where India must turn heartbreak into hunger. Because if Lord’s proved anything, it’s that they’re not far off.