Ravindra Jadeja and Ben Stokes share a hug after the intense Lord's Test (Reuters Photo)

They sledged each other and went at each other's throats over the last three days of the thrilling Lord's Test, but when the final ball was bowled, India and England acknowledged one another's part in making it one of the most memorable Tests in recent times. In a poetic end to the match, who had given it his all during a defiant last-wicket partnership with Ravindra Jadeja.

As the cameras panned to the centre of the pitch, Ben Stokes and Ravindra Jadeja shared a warm hug, recognising each other's extraordinary efforts. | SCORECARD

Stokes bowled 24 overs-nearly a quarter of the overs bowled in the final innings-and took three crucial wickets. On the other hand, Jadeja refused to give in after India were reduced to 112 for 8 in their pursuit of 193. He remained unbeaten on 61, defying the inevitable and taking the game into the final session on the last day, at a point when it seemed India would be bowled out in the first session itself, after fiery opening spells from Jofra Archer and Stokes had reduced them to 82 for 7 within the first hour.

Fittingly, both Jadeja and Stokes were contenders for the Player of the Match award. The honour eventually went to Stokes, who claimed five wickets in the Test despite falling short with the bat. He pushed his injury-prone body to the limit, bowling two long and tireless spells on the final day in pursuit of a memorable victory at Lord's.

Jadeja, for his part, faced 161 deliveries, not giving England an inch when they were coming hard. He forged gritty partnerships with Jasprit Bumrah, who faced 54 balls, and Mohammed Siraj, who stood firm for 30 balls. India narrowed the target to just 22 runs before Siraj was bowled in unfortunate fashion by Shoaib Bashir during the final session.

Despite the intensity of the contest, both teams were deeply appreciative of each other's efforts. The match might have been played in a feisty spirit, but the mutual respect on display was a reminder that cricket, at its core, remains a gentleman's game.

Praising Stokes's tireless effort with the ball, India captain Shubman Gill tipped his hat to the England skipper.

"Credit must be given where it's due. The spell he bowled on the final day was fantastic. Bowling 11 overs in a row at that stage isn't easy. The effort from him and his team was commendable. We gave everything too. It was emotional, but after such a match, there's always admiration from both sides. They gave it everything, and so did we-they were simply the better team on the day," Gill said.

Stokes, visibly emotional, spoke about how he had to dig deep to push himself with the ball for the team's cause.

"I thought I'd taken myself to some pretty dark places before but today, bowling to win a Test match for your country-if that doesn't get you going, then I don't know what does," said Stokes.

"I'm an all-rounder. I get four opportunities to influence the game. That's one of the great things about being an all-rounder-if one part doesn't quite click, you've got the other. I'd bowled an important spell, and I was pretty pumped up."

The two teams will now enjoy an eight-day break before the fourth Test begins at Old Trafford in Manchester on 23 July.

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