• KL Rahul’s determined century at Lord’s electrified India's fightback on Day 3 against England.

  • The gritty knock marked a defining moment in his Test career.

ENG vs IND: Fans go berserk as KL Rahul hits a gritty century on Day 3 of the Lord’s Test
Fans go berserk as KL Rahul reaches his gritty century against England on Day 2 of the Lord's Test (Image source: X)

The Lord’s cauldron was set alight as India locked horns with England in the third Test of the 2025 series, beginning July 10 in London. England, electing to bat first, posted a formidable 387 on the board, with Joe Root’s elegant 104 anchoring the innings and late-order resistance from Jamie Smith (51) and Brydon Carse (56) stretching the total. Jasprit Bumrah led the Indian attack with a five-wicket haul, ensuring England didn’t run away with the game. India’s reply began shakily, losing Yashasvi Jaiswal early, but the stage was soon seized by KL Rahul, whose gritty century on Day 3 became the talking point of the Test.

KL Rahul’s exceptional century at Lord’s on Day 3

KL Rahul’s innings was a study in resilience and technique under pressure. Coming in after the early loss of Jaiswal, Rahul first steadied the ship with Karun Nair, adding 61 crucial runs. When Nair and then skipper Shubman Gill departed, Rahul found a steadfast partner in Rishabh Pant. The pair weathered England’s probing seamers and Archer’s pace, constructing a vital 141-run stand for the fourth wicket.

Rahul’s century was the very definition of a “gritty ton.” He reached the milestone in 176 balls, displaying immense patience and precise shot selection. His knock was punctuated by 13 boundaries but, more importantly, by his ability to soak up pressure and keep the scoreboard ticking. The moment arrived in the 67th over: a single dabbed into the covers off Jofra Archer, and Rahul raised his bat to the Lord’s crowd, helmet off, soaking in the applause from fans and teammates alike. This was his second entry on the Lord’s Honours Board, a rare feat for an Indian batter, and his tenth Test century overall. Fans erupted in celebration, recognizing not just the runs, but the context: Rahul had now scored more than one hundred in a series for the first time, marking a watershed moment in his career.

Also READ: ENG vs IND: Fans fume as Rishabh Pant’s run-out mix-up with KL Rahul spoils India’s momentum on Day 3 of Lord’s Test

Here’s how fans reacted:

India’s fightback on Day 3 in turmoil after two quick dismissals

By lunch on Day 3, the Test had evolved into a classic tussle. India reached 248/4, still trailing by 139 runs, with Rahul unbeaten on 98 and Pant on 74 before a mix-up led to Pant’s run-out just before the break—a blow that slightly soured an otherwise dominant session for the visitors. Rahul, undeterred, completed his hundred soon after, but fell immediately for exactly 100, caught at slip off Shoaib Bashir.

At the time of writing, India are trailing by more than 100 runs. Ravindra Jadeja and Nitish Kumar Reddy are at the crease, tasked with closing the gap to England’s first-innings total. The match remains finely poised: England’s bowlers, led by Archer and Chris Woakes, have kept things tight, but India’s middle order has shown grit. With the pitch still offering assistance to both seamers and spinners, and two full days left, the Lord’s Test promises further drama as India seek to erase the deficit and seize control, while England eyes quick wickets to press home their advantage.

Also READ: ENG vs IND: Can Joe Root overtake Sachin Tendulkar in Tests? Dinesh Karthik shares his perspective

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About the Author:
Akash Thapa is a dedicated cricket journalist with three years of experience in the media industry. A BA (JMC) graduate from VIPS, GGSIPU, and a postgraduate in MAJMC from the University of Lucknow, Akash combines his academic credentials with a deep-rooted passion for cricket.His background as a former junior-level wrestler and cricketer enriches his insightful analysis and commentary on the game. Known for his inventive approach to writing and his commitment to capturing the nuances of cricket, Akash is a true aficionado of the sport.Connect with Akash on , , and .