This is only the third time in the history of Indian Test cricket that both teams ended with identical first-innings scores — that is, neither team had a lead after their respective first innings.
This rare moment occurred during the third Test between India and England being played at Lord’s Cricket Ground, where Shubman Gill and his team were bowled out for 387 runs. Earlier, England, who won the toss and chose to bat first, had also scored 387 runs.
India and England post equal scores
In India’s first innings, KL Rahul scored a superb century (100). Along with him, Karun Nair (40), Rishabh Pant (74), and Ravindra Jadeja (72) played valuable innings.
England scored 387 in their first innings. The final partnership between Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar ended just as the scores were leveled, resulting in India also being all out for 387.
This is only the 9th time in Test history that both teams have scored exactly the same number of runs in the first innings. The last time such an event took place was in 2015 at Leeds, in a match that was eventually won by New Zealand. Of the previous 8 matches with this scenario, 6 ended in a draw — 2 of which involved Team India.
Third occurrence for India
This is the third time the Indian team has played a Test where both sides had equal first-innings scores. The earlier two Tests ended in draws. The last time it happened with India was back in 1986.
1958 – India vs West Indies, Kanpur – Draw
1986 – England vs India, Birmingham – Draw
Full list of Tests where both teams had equal first-innings totals:
1910 – South Africa vs England, Durban – Draw
1958 – India vs West Indies, Kanpur – Draw
1973 – Pakistan vs New Zealand, Auckland – Draw
1973 – West Indies vs Australia, Kingston – Draw
1986 – England vs India, Birmingham – Draw
1994 – West Indies vs England, St. John’s – Draw
2003 – West Indies vs Australia, St. John’s – West Indies won
2015 – England vs New Zealand, Leeds – New Zealand won
2025 – England vs India, Lord’s
First time at Lord’s
This is the first instance in the history of Lord’s Cricket Ground — often called the Mecca of Cricket — where both teams posted identical first-innings scores in a Test match.
As for the current India vs England Test series, both teams have one win each. England won the opening Test, while India claimed victory in the second. With this third Test locked in a historic scenario, the series stands evenly poised.
