India matched England’s first-innings total of 387 runs at Lord’s on Saturday, thanks to a brilliant century by KL Rahul and a solid 72-run knock by Ravindra Jadeja. At the end of Day 3, England had begun their second innings and were 2 for no loss, with Zak Crawley on 2 and Ben Duckett yet to score. The hosts hold a slender 2-run lead heading into Day 4.

India resumed their innings in the third session from 316/5, trailing by 71 runs, with Jadeja unbeaten on 40 and Nitish Kumar Reddy on 25. The pair added a valuable 72-run partnership before Reddy was dismissed for 30 in the 95th over. Washington Sundar then joined Jadeja at the crease as India pushed forward.

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Jadeja completed his fifty in style with a boundary off Joe Root in the 98th over. India crossed the 350-run mark shortly after, with Sundar hitting a four off Ben Stokes. Jadeja’s innings ended in the 114th over after a well-compiled 72 off 131 balls, which included eight fours and one six. Sundar contributed 23 runs before being the final wicket to fall, and India were bowled out for 387, matching England’s total.

The innings also saw quick dismissals of tailenders Akash Deep for 7 and Jasprit Bumrah for a duck. For England, Chris Woakes was the most successful bowler with figures of 3 for 84 in 27 overs. Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes claimed two wickets each, while Brydon Carse and Shoaib Bashir picked up one wicket apiece.

Earlier in the day, KL Rahul brought up his second century of the series and his second at Lord’s. His century came with a single wide of mid-off, followed by a jubilant celebration as he removed his helmet and acknowledged the applause from the crowd. However, his innings ended immediately after reaching the landmark, when he edged a delivery from Shoaib Bashir to the slips and was dismissed for 100 off 177 balls.

Rahul’s partnership with Rishabh Pant was instrumental in India’s innings. The duo added 100 runs together, with Pant playing an aggressive role. Pant completed his half-century by smashing a six off Ben Stokes and brought up 74 off 112 balls with eight boundaries and two sixes. His innings ended in dramatic fashion just before lunch when Ben Stokes produced a direct hit to run him out.

There were multiple moments of confusion in India’s innings, especially with running between the wickets. Nitish Kumar Reddy narrowly survived a couple of mix-ups with Jadeja, while England missed run-out opportunities due to inaccurate throws from Ollie Pope and Ben Duckett. Jadeja himself came down the track to hit Bashir straight back, injuring the bowler’s finger and forcing him off the field.

India also dealt with some short-ball tactics from England, but Jadeja and Reddy held firm. The second new ball was taken as soon as it was available, and although England pushed hard with pace and bounce, India’s lower middle-order ensured they batted deep and leveled the scores.

Earlier in the match, England had posted 387 in their first innings after electing to bat. Their innings was built around Joe Root’s 104, with Ollie Pope contributing 44. A late flourish came from Brydon Carse and Jamie Smith, who added quick fifties in a counter-attacking stand. For India, Jasprit Bumrah was the standout with a five-wicket haul, while Mohammed Siraj and Nitish Kumar Reddy picked up two wickets each. Ravindra Jadeja chipped in with one.