India’s heartbreaking 22-run defeat to England in the Lord’s Test has sparked plenty of reflection, and most notably from legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar. In his sharp post-match analysis, Gavaskar singled out Rishabh Pant’s run-out as the pivotal moment that loosened India's grip over the match. When fans were counting on them, they lost hope after their departed.
Speaking to India Today, the former India captain pointed to the turning tide on Day 3. When Pant was in fine rhythm and batting with a sore finger, he fell victim to a mix-up with KL Rahul just before lunch. At that moment, Pant had stitched together a brilliant 141-run partnership with Rahul that had hauled India out of early trouble.
“That was the biggest turning point of the match. Both batters were going so well—splendid batting from them. It was like a fire-and-ice combination. Rahul was all calm precision, playing calculated strokes, while Rishabh Pant brought power and punch, really putting pressure on the England bowling attack,” Gavaskar stated.
Momentum snapped at the wrong time
The wicket of Pant, who was looking to take the game away with his fearless strokeplay, punctured India’s momentum. Gavaskar stressed how the timing of the dismissal, just before the break proved doubly damaging.
“It was a rollicking partnership, and then, just in that last hour before lunch, the run-out changed everything. Yes, we did manage to get to the 100-run mark after lunch, but a run-out like that can linger in the mind. Maybe that’s why, after the hundred, there was just a slight lapse—a shot that got Rahul out. So in a short span, India lost two well-set batters. Suddenly, two new batters had to come in and build a partnership from scratch—and that’s never easy,” he mentioned.
India's top order falters again
Earlier in the match, India’s top order had faltered after bowling England out for 387. Pant and Rahul led the rescue act, with Rahul anchoring the innings with a composed century and Pant adding a sparkling 74. But Pant’s dismissal run out by Ben Stokes, broke the partnership at a crucial moment, leaving India to rebuild all over again.
Though India managed to draw level with England in the first innings and later bowled the hosts out for just 192, the final chase proved too steep. The top order crumbled once more, leaving Ravindra Jadeja and the lower order to mount a spirited fightback.
In the end, despite brave efforts from Bumrah and Siraj, the target proved just out of reach.
So near, yet so far
“It was heartbreaking—so near, yet so far. When you lose by just 22 runs, you know that with a bit of luck, we could have gone past that total and gone 2-1 up in the series. It’s very disappointing—from the perspective of Indian cricket and as an Indian cricket fan. That said, you have to admire the way our lower-order batters performed. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj fought hard and tried everything to take India over the line,” Gavaskar said.
India will now take the field on July 23 at The Old Trafford, Manchester, in an attempt to level the series .