Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has pointed to the dismissals of Rishabh Pant and Karun Nair as pivotal moments in India’s narrow 22-run defeat against England in the third Test at Lord’s, a result that allowed the hosts to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

Shastri, speaking on The ICC Review, emphasized that Pant’s run-out for 74 just before lunch on Day 3 swung momentum England’s way. “Ben Stokes showed brilliant presence of mind to hit the right end at a crucial time. India could have taken the lead and stayed in control,” he said.

In the second innings, after India were comfortably placed at 41/1, Karun Nair was trapped LBW by Brydon Carse after offering no shot to a straight delivery. Shastri termed it a “huge lapse in concentration,” saying, “Leaving that ball opened the door again for England.”

From 42/2, India slipped to 82/7, making their chase of 193 nearly impossible.

Shastri also critiqued India’s top-order approach in the second innings. “When the ball was older, the tailenders like Siraj, Bumrah, and Jadeja looked solid. That shows if the top-order had applied themselves better, the result could have been different,” he said.

He noted similarities with India’s famous 2021 win at Lord’s under his own coaching stint, where similar scores and collapses unfolded but the result went India’s way.

Despite the setback, Shastri remains optimistic. “India has the firepower to bounce back. If they level the series in Manchester, the finale at The Oval will be electric,” he said.

Shastri also praised Ben Stokes, calling his final-day spell “inspirational.” The England captain bowled 24 overs, including a marathon 10-over spell, and took three crucial wickets — including KL Rahul.

The fourth Test begins July 23 in Manchester.