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India vs England 3rd Test: Deja Vu Heartbreak Echoes 1999 Chennai Test

The India vs England 3rd Test at Lord’s in 2025 ended in a dramatic 22-run defeat for India, bringing back memories of a similar loss against Pakistan in Chennai 26 years ago. Both matches saw India’s hopes crushed in nearly the same way, with the final wicket falling after a defensive shot rolled back onto the stumps. 

In the India vs England 3rd Test, India was chasing a tough target of 193 runs. Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja were at the crease, fighting hard to keep India’s hopes alive for a historic win. Siraj, known for his grit, faced 30 deliveries with care. However, disaster struck when he played a soft defensive shot against England’s Shoaib Bashir. The ball rolled back, hit the stumps, and dislodged a single bail, ending the match with a 22-run loss. This moment left the Indian team stunned, as victory had seemed within reach.

Interestingly, Shoaib Bashir, the bowler who claimed the final wicket in the India vs England 3rd Test, wasn’t even born when a similar event unfolded in 1999. This connection makes the defeat even more intriguing.

Twenty-six years ago, during the 1999 Chennai Test against Pakistan, India faced a nearly identical situation. Pakistan scored 238 in their first innings, thanks to strong batting from Mohammad Yousuf and Moin Khan. India replied with a small lead of 16 runs, with Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid scoring vital half-centuries. In their second innings, Pakistan set a challenging target of 271, powered by Shahid Afridi’s explosive 141 off 191 balls.

India’s chase in the 1999 Test relied heavily on Sachin Tendulkar, who played a brilliant 136, supported by Nayan Mongia’s 52. However, the rest of the batting lineup struggled, with most players failing to reach double figures. After Mongia’s dismissal at 218, India needed 53 runs with four wickets in hand. Tendulkar, alongside Sunil Joshi, added 36 runs, but his dismissal at 254 left India just 17 runs short. The tail collapsed, managing only four more runs in 21 balls. The final blow came when Javagal Srinath’s defensive shot against Saqlain Mushtaq rolled between his legs, hitting the stumps and knocking off both bails, sealing Pakistan’s 12-run victory.

The parallels between the IND vs ENG 3rd Test and the 1999 Chennai Test are uncanny. In both matches, India’s tailenders fought bravely but fell short due to a defensive shot that rolled back onto the stumps. In the India vs England 3rd Test, Siraj’s single bail dislodgement contrasted with Srinath’s double-bail dismissal in 1999. However, the result was the same heartbreaking loss when victory seemed possible.

Additionally, India bounced back after the 1999 Chennai loss by winning the next Test in Delhi, leveling the series 1-1. While the outcome of the series following the India vs England 3rd Test remains to be seen.

A turning point in the India vs England 3rd Test was Rishabh Pant’s run-out in the first inning, which Shubman Gill later called a “judgement error.” This moment shifted the momentum, putting extra pressure on the lower order. Despite Jadeja and Siraj’s efforts, the IND vs ENG 3rd Test slipped away in a manner that echoed the 1999 defeat.