The Lord’s Test match between India and England on June 22, 2025, was a rollercoaster of excitement. It was part of a fiercely contested series where both teams were locked in a battle for supremacy. Lord’s, famously dubbed the “Home of Cricket,” elevated the stakes—every player aimed to etch their name into its storied history. Jasprit Bumrah unleashed a masterclass of bowling tricks, while Mohammed Siraj displayed the heart of a warrior with his unwavering determination.
Despite India falling short by just 22 runs, their performances made this match unforgettable. For a detailed breakdown of the game, check out the India vs. England Match Scorecard. Let’s dive into how they shined.
Jasprit Bumrah: The Wizard of Backspin
Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling is unlike anything else in cricket. His arm bends backward dramatically—like it’s made of rubber—before snapping forward to release the ball. This unorthodox action baffles batters, leaving them clueless about the ball’s trajectory. According to ESPN Cricinfo, his release point is 50 cm closer to the batter than most fast bowlers, making the ball feel lightning-fast. At Lord’s, England’s batters were left flailing, swinging and missing repeatedly. Former captain Nasser Hussain remarked, “It’s like the ball sneaks up on you. You think you’re ready, but you’re not.” To explore more about his exceptional talent, read Jasprit Bumrah: Why He’s India’s Test Cricket Superstar.
Backspin That Tricks Everyone
Bumrah’s secret lies in his wrist. With a sharp snap at release, he imparts backspin that lifts the ball slightly before it lands—a phenomenon driven by the Magnus effect. Picture a Frisbee spun backward, floating longer in the air; that’s Bumrah’s magic. BBC Sports notes this deceives batters into swinging too early. On Day 3 at Lord’s, he toyed with England’s top order, making them misjudge balls they thought were in their hitting zone. For context, this skill echoes the flair seen in other thrilling encounters, like the CT 2025 Final between New Zealand and India.
Flat Path, Big Bounce
While most flat-trajectory bowlers produce low bounces, Bumrah defies the norm. His deliveries zip in flat yet leap high—about 5 cm more than average, per Cricbuzz—thanks to that wicked backspin. England was caught off guard at Lord’s. In a standout over, he bowled a “heavy ball” to Ben Stokes that reared up, striking the bat’s top edge instead of the middle, leading to a catch. This unexpected bounce turned the game’s tide, much like the surprises in the India vs. Zimbabwe Match Scorecard.
Swing That Goes Both Ways
Bumrah’s control over swing is mesmerizing. By keeping the seam upright and leveraging backspin, he makes the ball curve left or right at will. AajTak Sports highlights how he swings it one way, then reverses it the next ball, keeping batters on edge. At Lord’s, he swung the new ball both ways and even coaxed movement from the old ball. It was a performance reminiscent of cricketing greats, akin to the artistry of Ricky Ponting’s leadership in Australia’s World Cup wins.
Seam That Dances Around
Seam movement—where the ball deviates sideways off the pitch—is another feather in Bumrah’s cap. Wikipedia records that in India’s Tests from 2023 to 2024, he averaged over half a degree of seam movement, outpacing all other fast bowlers. At Lord’s, his deliveries darted unpredictably, forcing England into edges or misses. This mastery mirrors the intensity seen in clashes like Australia vs. South Africa.
Stats That Prove He’s Great
Bumrah’s stats speak volumes. In the IPL from 2022 to 2024, his full tosses were hit at a strike rate below 120—far under the 150+ average in Australia and England. At Lord’s, he conceded just 2.5 runs per over while snaring key wickets. Cricbuzz notes 30% of his deliveries had “high seam,” giving him unmatched control. England struggled to score, cementing his superstar status, much like MS Dhoni’s ICC Hall of Fame recognition.
Mohammed Siraj: The Fighter Who Never Quits
Mohammed Siraj is relentless. Even when luck deserts him—like in Australia’s 2024-25 series where he beat the bat every four balls yet took few wickets (per BBC Sports)—he keeps pushing. At Lord’s, he pinned England down, despite a modest scorecard. His series average of 32 belies his value to India. His tenacity shines through, as detailed in Mohammed Siraj: India’s Pace Star Shines Bright.
Building Pressure Like a Boss
Siraj excels at building pressure rather than chasing wickets. He hammers the same spot repeatedly, exhausting batters and setting up teammates. At Lord’s, he bowled 23 dot balls to Joe Root, forcing nine errors. ESPN Cricinfo ranks his dot-ball rate among the best in Tests. This discipline paved the way for Bumrah’s breakthroughs, a tactic also evident in South Africa vs. New Zealand.
Emotional Moment at Lord’s
Siraj turned hero with the bat, too. Partnering Ravindra Jadeja for 64 minutes, he brought India within 22 runs of victory. But when bowled after a perfect shot, he collapsed in despair. Cricbuzz noted England’s players pausing their celebrations to console him—a testament to his passion. This grit echoes the drama of England vs. West Indies.
Carrying the Load
Siraj is indefatigable. AajTak Sports credits his rigorous fitness for bowling 25 overs across both innings at Lord’s without fading. India leans on him as their workhorse, a role he shares with stalwarts like those in India Women vs. England Women.
Key Moments from the Match
On Day 3, Bumrah struck gold. He dismissed Zak Crawley with a late-swinging ball caught behind, then bowled Jonny Bairstow with a seaming beauty. BBC Sports said these wickets shifted momentum. His flair rivals the legends chronicled in Godfather of Cricket.
Siraj’s Brave Batting
Siraj and Jadeja’s 23-run stand slashed England’s lead. Siraj defended stoutly and cracked boundaries, earning ESPN Cricinfo’s “iconic” label. The tension was palpable, akin to Sri Lanka vs. Bangladesh.
India lost by 22 runs in a nail-biter. Wikipedia dubbed it a classic, brimming with courage. Bumrah and Siraj’s efforts, though not victorious, were heroic.
What We Think Happened
Bumrah’s wizardry stems from relentless practice—perfecting that wrist snap for backspin and seam. His Lord’s dominance reflects this dedication, a trait shared by Virat Kohli’s love for Test cricket.
Siraj’s Tough Mind
Siraj’s resilience is mental steel. Despite setbacks, he presses on, buoyed by team support. His Lord’s fight mirrors the spirit in South Africa vs. Afghanistan.
Wrapping It Up
Bumrah and Siraj ignite India’s spirit. Their Lord’s display—Bumrah’s artistry and Siraj’s guts—kept the team alive despite defeat. It’s a legacy akin to Railways vs. Delhi. As the series unfolds, these two will shape India’s fate. Cricket fans are privileged to witness Bumrah the magician and Siraj the warrior in action!
