England captain Ben Stokes led from the front in the third Test at Lord’s, delivering an inspired all-round performance to help his team clinch a 22-run win over India and take a 2-1 lead in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
Stokes bowled close to 20 overs on the final day—including a 9.2-over spell in the morning—and contributed crucial knocks of 44 and 33 runs, earning the Player of the Match award.
While Stokes’ effort was lauded, former India pacer Irfan Pathan took aim at India’s tactics, particularly the limited use of Jasprit Bumrah on Day 5. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Pathan said India missed an opportunity to go for the win by holding Bumrah back, especially in the second innings.
“Ben Stokes bowled a marathon spell without talk of workload. But in India’s case, we saw Bumrah bowl five overs and wait for Joe Root to come out, instead of attacking early,” said Pathan. “Bumrah had already been rested for the Edgbaston Test. When you’re playing, workload should not be a concern—winning should be the focus.”
Bumrah bowled 43 overs in the Lord’s Test and had already delivered 43.4 overs in the Headingley opener. He returned with a five-wicket haul in England’s first innings but bowled just 16 overs in the second, taking two wickets.
Pathan also praised England pacer Jofra Archer, who returned to the format after four years and bowled aggressive spells on Day 5, dismissing Rishabh Pant and Washington Sundar. “Despite his long absence, Archer bowled a six-over spell in the morning and came back again later—he didn’t stop,” Pathan noted.
India and England will face off in the fourth Test at Manchester, starting July 23.
