England defeated India by 22 runs in the third Test at Lord’s, taking a 2-1 lead in the series. But the gesture made by captain Ben Stokes after England took the last wicket was what caught people’s attention. After being eliminated as the final man standing, Mohammed Siraj was distraught and the all-rounder was seen approaching him to offer consolation.
The match was in the balance at the start of the fifth day. But before midday, the home team took three wickets. However, the visitors were kept in the game by Ravindra Jadeja’s undefeated 61. He gave Indian supporters hope of victory by pushing the match into the last session with the help of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. Siraj, however, faced 30 balls and provided Jadeja with outstanding support.
Before the pacer lost his wicket, the two scored 23 crucial runs for the final wicket. Siraj guarded the ball as it spun off the middle of the bat, rolled down, and dislodged the leg stump, but off-spinner Shoaib Bashir, who was playing with a fractured finger, gave the last blow by tossing it up.
Mohammed Siraj was clearly crying, as Bashir rushed off in joy. Siraj was initially approached by Harry Brook, then by Joe Root, who congratulated him. Stokes was then shown comforting Siraj by tapping his chest.
Watch the video below:
Test Cricket.
Wow.
😍 pic.twitter.com/XGDWM1xR2H
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 14, 2025It was extraordinary finish: Ben Stokes
Meanwhile, England set India a goal of 193. With 77 runs and six wickets in the game, Stokes’ all-around performance earned him his fourth Player of the Match title at Lord’s, more than any other player in the stadium’s history. He talked candidly about the team’s play and winning the five-match series in his post-match interview.
“It was (extraordinary finish). It was actually part of the reason I went with Jof and myself this morning, one of those feelings, what is it 6 years now to the day (2019 WC win).. Jof played a major role in that, just had one of those feelings he would do something special and he cracked the game open with 2 wickets. It wasn’t an easy call, there was a bit of discussion in the dressing room. Brydon (Carse) had an amazing spell last night, he was charging in and had great rhythm but it was a gut feeling, Jof’s first match back in the Test team and sometimes your gut works. It is awesome to have him back. When he turns it on and the speeds come up on the screen, the feeling in the game changes. What an amazing job to get through the overs, first time out, tough week but he got some crucial wickets. I thought I had taken myself to some pretty dark places before.. but today bowling to win a Test match for your country.. If that doesn’t get you going then I don’t know what does. Bashir, broken hand, going out there and taking responsibility with the bat, then coming out and picking up the last wicket, absolute warrior to do that for the team.
Ben Stokes
What today was and what was on the line, yesterday was a bit different as there was more cricket to be played, I pulled myself out there, to be honest I was cooked yesterday as well, but the game was on the line and nothing was stopping me. I am an allrounder, I get four opportunities to influence the game, one of the great things of being an all rounder is if one thing doesn’t quite click then you have the other. I had bowled an important spell, I was pretty pumped up, very important position at extra cover, it was one of those things, I saw Rishabh stutter in my peripheral, natural instincts took over and it is a great feeling when you let go of the ball and know that is going towards the stumps. Big part of the game, Rishabh played really well, we all know how dangerous he can be and that wicket this morning was a big one and Jofra was the man to do it. It was always going to be the case, two very good teams going at it, we went toe to toe in this game, not going to lie but cannot wait to get on the bed for four days and then be ready to go to Manchester.”
Ben Stokes
