Ben Stokes leads from the front in epic win over India: "I was pretty pumped"

England pulled off a dramatic 22-run victory over India in the third Test on Monday, with Stokes at the heart of it all. The skipper's all-action performance earned him Man of the Match honors, having contributed 77 runs, five wickets, and a pivotal run-out of Rishabh Pant that turned the tide early in the contest. England now lead the five-match series 2-1.

"I'm not going to lie, I cannot wait to just lie on my bed for four days," Stokes said with a grin. "Then I'll be raring to go for Manchester."

It was vintage Stokes on day five - a 19.2-over marathon spell that broke the back of India's run chase. His 3-48 included the crucial wicket of opener KL Rahul and a sharp bouncer that ended Jasprit Bumrah's defiant stand, just as India edged closer to a nervy 193-run target.

The match was still alive deep into the final session, thanks to a heroic unbeaten 61 from Ravindra Jadeja, who once again carried India's tail and hopes. But the game ended in heartbreak for the visitors when last man Mohammed Siraj chopped on to spinner Shoaib Bashir.

With every wicket, Stokes' legendary knack for rising to the occasion was on full display. "I've got some history of turning up in moments like that with the ball," he said. "I was pretty pumped. If bowling to win a Test for your country on day five doesn't get you going, I don't know what will."

The occasion held extra meaning - exactly six years since England's unforgettable 2019 World Cup triumph at the same venue. Four players from that squad - Stokes, Joe Root, Chris Woakes, and the returning Jofra Archer - were back on the field in whites.

For Archer, it was a powerful comeback story. Playing his first Test in over four years after battling injuries, the paceman was given the new ball at Stokes' instinctive call. "It felt right in my tummy that Jof was going to do something this morning to break the game open," Stokes revealed.

That gut feeling proved right. Archer shattered Pant's off stump with a lightning delivery, then took a sharp caught-and-bowled to dismiss Washington Sundar - showing glimpses of the fire that made him a national hero in 2019.

India captain Shubman Gill praised his side's resilience despite the narrow defeat. "This is as close as a Test match can get," he said. Gill also applauded Jadeja's continued brilliance - the 36-year-old has now posted four fifties in a row this series. "He's very experienced. He was batting brilliantly with the tail."

As for Jasprit Bumrah, who was left out of this match in line with India's rotation strategy to manage his workload, Gill stayed tight-lipped about his availability for next week's fourth Test at Old Trafford. "You'll get to know soon," he said.

For now, the momentum is with England - and with Ben Stokes leading from the front, their sights are firmly set on sealing the series.