Day 3 of the Lord’s Test between England and India witnessed a dramatic shift in momentum just before the lunch break, as Rishabh Pant was run out for 74 in a moment that shocked the Indian dressing room. It wasn’t just the timing of the dismissal, it came in the final over before lunch, but also the circumstances surrounding it that made it particularly painful.
KL Rahul reflects on miscommunication with Rishabh Pant that led to run-out on Day 3 of Lord’s Test
KL Rahul, Pant’s batting partner and India’s stand-in opener, revealed after play that the run-out stemmed from Pant’s desire to help Rahul reach a personal milestone. “A couple of hours before that, I had told him I’d try to get to my hundred before lunch if possible. And with Bashir bowling that last over before lunch, I thought it was a good chance for me to get there,” Rahul admitted during the post-match press conference.
“Unfortunately, I hit the ball straight to the fielder. I was aware I could’ve placed it for a boundary, but I didn’t. I think Rishabh just wanted to rotate the strike and see if he could get me back on strike,” Rahul added. Pant had gently pushed the ball towards short cover, expecting a quick single, but Ben Stokes, sharp as ever, pounced, turned and hit the stumps at the non-striker’s end. Rahul didn’t mince words about the consequence: “That run-out shouldn’t have happened at that stage, it really changed the momentum. It was disappointing for both of us. Obviously, nobody wants to throw their wicket away like that,”. Before the unfortunate run-out, Rahul and Pant were central to India’s spirited fightback on Day 3.
KL Rahul explanation on Rishabh Pant run out
there was a conversation that I would want to get that hundred before lunch. But if was an unfortunate that the runout happened pic.twitter.com/oY7T3rMZ4U— 🕷️ (@RP17Buzz) July 12, 2025
Rahul and Pant partnership anchors revive India before another lower-order collapse
Walking in under pressure after India lost three wickets in the final session of Day 2, the duo demonstrated patience, determination, and maturity to steady the innings. Pant, who had injured his left index finger while keeping on Day 1 and had spent a large portion of the day off the field, returned to bat at No. 5 and immediately showed his class. Combining his trademark aggression with controlled shot selection, Pant forged a crucial 141-run partnership with Rahul who went on to score his century after the break, albeit falling soon after on exactly 100 to Shoaib Bashir, was full of praise for his partner’s approach. The partnership helped India recover from 3 for 78 to level England’s first-innings total of 387 and kept India in the game.
After India equaled England’s first-innings total of 387, a brief but charged final phase unfolded with just ten minutes left before stumps. Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett came out to face Jasprit Bumrah in a tense atmosphere. Just three deliveries into the over, Crawley backed away during Bumrah’s run-up, citing movement behind the bowler’s arm. The Indians, especially captain Shubman Gill, were unimpressed. What followed bordered on chaos.
Bumrah’s fifth ball struck Crawley on the glove, prompting the England batter to call for medical assistance. This delayed play further, leading to an intense confrontation between Gill, Duckett, and the umpires. India’s players swarmed the pitch, visibly frustrated at what they believed were deliberate time-wasting tactics. Eventually, only six deliveries were bowled before the umpires called for stumps with England at 0/2.