Will Lord’s witness a perfect tie in Test cricket?

Dubai: The third Test at Lord’s continues to thrill fans as both India and England refuse to back down, each side fighting tooth and nail to seize the advantage in what has become one of the most tightly contested series in recent memory.

On the final day, England landed key blows to put India on the back foot. But a gritty rearguard partnership between Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah has rekindled Indian hopes and set up a dramatic finish.

It isn’t the first time Bumrah has risen to the occasion at Lord’s. Back in 2021, he and Mohammed Shami shared a crucial 89-run ninth-wicket stand to help India set England a challenging target. Though the conditions and stakes are different now, Indian fans will be hoping for a similar fairy-tale twist.

Bumrah’s steely defence and Jadeja’s composure during their 35-run partnership have not only revived India’s prospects of victory but also kept open a tantalizing third outcome — a tie.

Could the hallowed turf of Lord’s witness just the third tied Test in cricket history?

So far, there have only been two tied Tests in 147 years: the first in Brisbane between Australia and the West Indies in 1960, and the second in Chennai between India and Australia in 1986.

This Test is already unique — the first innings from both sides ended in a tie. Now, at 147 for 9, India need 45 more runs to draw level again. If that happens, it would be the first time ever a Test ends in a perfect tie — a statistical and sporting rarity.

History beckons. Will Lord’s deliver? Lord’s also witnessed a perfect tie in the 2019 50-over World Cup with England winning their first cup on countback on boundaries.