Ravichandran Ashwin recently dissected India's narrow defeat to England in the third Test at Lord's, providing insights into the tense final moments and the strategic decisions that could have altered the outcome. The match, which saw England take a 2-1 lead in the series, was a nail-biting affair that went down to the wire, with India ultimately falling short by just 22 runs.

Ashwin shared an anecdote about a conversation with his father during the critical juncture of the game. As Mohammed Siraj battled it out in the middle, his father was confident that Siraj would win the game by hitting three sixes. Ashwin, however, found it hard to share his optimism, especially considering the way England captain Ben Stokes was bowling.

Stokes' performance in the match was indeed remarkable. Ashwin lauded Stokes for his incredible bowling effort, particularly the spells he bowled on the morning of Day 5. Despite not being at his best with the bat recently, Stokes displayed great resolve with the ball, bowling unchanged for extended periods and consistently clocking speeds between 132-140 kph. Ashwin noted that Stokes' relentless bowling showcased his determination to win for his team, even if his tactical acumen might not be his strongest suit.

Ashwin also reflected on Ravindra Jadeja's innings. While praising Jadeja for his gritty 61 off 181 balls, Ashwin felt that Jadeja could have taken a few more risks, especially against England's young spinner Shoaib Bashir. He suggested that Jadeja could have either targeted Bashir himself or instructed Siraj to go after him, given Siraj's ability to hit the ball cleanly. Ashwin revealed that he had been messaging a prominent cricketer throughout the match, and they both agreed that Jadeja could have injected more risk into his innings.

Anil Kumble, echoing Ashwin's sentiments, drew parallels to the 1999 Chennai Test against Pakistan, another match where India fell agonizingly short. Kumble emphasized that England's bowlers didn't relent. They consistently applied pressure, making it difficult for India to score freely. Ultimately, Siraj's dismissal, in what Ashwin described as an unlucky manner, sealed India's fate. Despite playing a perfect defensive shot, the ball trickled back onto the stumps, ending his innings and India's hopes of a win. Siraj later expressed his emotions on social media, acknowledging the lessons learned from the match, regardless of the outcome.

Despite the defeat, Ashwin acknowledged the quality of cricket played by both teams. He commended the crowds that turned up to watch the final day's play, emphasizing the grit and determination displayed by both sides. He also pointed out that England seemed to handle pressure situations better, which ultimately gave them the edge. Although India might have won more sessions in the Test, England's ability to thrive under pressure proved to be the difference.