The India vs. England series is tied 1-1, so this third Test at Lord’s is huge. Play started July 10, 2025. England chose to bat first on a pitch that looked good for fast bowlers. India bowled well, but a worrying injury to wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant means the game is pretty even. Joe Root and Ollie Pope are batting well together, but India has some problems to deal with. Let’s check out the key moments from Day 1 and what might happen next.
Classic Matchup at Cricket’s Famous Ground
This series has been exciting so far. England won the first Test by five wickets at Headingley, chasing down a big score. India bounced back at Edgbaston, with Shubman Gill scoring a massive 430 runs and Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj taking 17 wickets to win by 336 runs – India’s first Test win there! Now they’re at Lord’s, ready for another great game. Sachin Tendulkar was there and rang the Lord’s bell to start the match.
Lord’s hasn’t always been kind to India, only winning 3 out of 19 Tests there. Their best win was in 2021 under Virat Kohli. Both teams know they need to get used to the pace and bounce of this pitch. England wants to make the most of playing at home, and India hopes Jasprit Bumrah can cause some trouble with their bowling.
England Starts Okay, India Fights Back
England’s first two batsmen, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, were careful against India’s opening bowlers. Bumrah almost got Duckett out early, but the ball didn’t quite carry to Pant. The pitch had some movement for the bowlers, but not as much as some previous games at Lord’s. Still, Bumrah and Akash Deep bowled well, keeping things tight.
England got to 35/0 by the 10th over. Crawley then hit three fours off Akash Deep, showing they wanted to attack. But India got a breakthrough in the 13th over when Nitish Reddy, playing instead of Shardul Thakur, got Duckett out, caught behind by Pant. Soon after, Reddy got Crawley out as well, leaving England at 44/2. India was able to take advantage of the conditions and put England under pressure.
Root-Pope Partnership, Good Bowling from India
England was in trouble at 44/2, but Joe Root and Ollie Pope calmed things down. Root looked comfortable and started scoring runs easily. Pope was also careful, trying to build a good base for the innings. By lunch, England reached 83/2, with Root and Pope looking solid. It was a pretty even session, with India bowling well but England holding on.
After lunch, India bowled 28 dot balls in a row, stopping England from scoring. Siraj and Bumrah kept Root and Pope on their toes. Eventually, a misfield broke the streak. Nitish Reddy kept bowling well, getting movement with the ball. He troubled the batsmen, showing he could be a useful all-rounder.
Pant Gets Hurt: A Worry for India
India had a big worry when Rishabh Pant got hit on the fingers trying to stop a ball. He looked in pain and had to stop play for a bit. He tried to carry on, but eventually had to leave the field. Dhruv Jurel came on as the substitute wicketkeeper. Now, people are wondering if Pant will be able to play in the rest of the match.
Losing Pant would be a big deal for India. He’s great behind the stumps, but he’s also an important batsman who brings a lot of energy to the team. They’ll be keeping an eye on him. Jurel is ready to step in, but Pant is special and fans will be hoping he gets better soon.
Lord’s Pitch: Good for Bowlers?
The pitch at Lord’s, which was supposed to have pace and bounce, has been good for the bowlers so far. It’s different from the batting-friendly pitches at Headingley and Edgbaston. The average first-innings score at Lord’s is around 309, so while bowlers have an advantage early, the pitch might get easier to bat on later. India’s bowlers made the most of the movement, but the lack of carry means they need to be precise.
England chose to bat first hoping their batting lineup can take advantage if the pitch gets easier. With Root and Pope batting well, and players like Jonny Bairstow still to come, they’re in a good position to score a decent total. But India’s bowling is strong, especially with Bumrah back.
Players to Watch
For India, Bumrah is key. He can swing the ball and bowl great yorkers. Shubman Gill will be hoping to continue his good form with the bat. Nitish Reddy’s two wickets on Day 1 mean he could play an important role.
For England, Joe Root is looking good. Ollie Pope is a good partner for Root, and their partnership could be crucial.
Strategy and What’s Next
This Test is going to be tough, and both teams need to get used to the conditions at Lord’s. India bowled well early on, but they need to break the Root-Pope partnership. Losing Pant could make things tricky.
England will want to make the most of their batting and the pitch. They played cautiously on Day 1, but might start attacking more if the pitch gets easier.
Importance
This series is named after two legends, James Anderson and Sachin Tendulkar. Tendulkar ringing the Lord’s bell was a reminder of the great rivalry between India and England.
With the series level, this Test is really important. The team that wins will have a big advantage. India doesn’t have a great record at Lord’s, but they won there in 2021 and have some in-form players. England, with home support and a good bowling attack, will be determined to win.
India vs England 3rd Test, Day 1 Overview Table
| Match Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | India vs England, 3rd Test (Day 1) |
| Date | July 10, 2025 |
| Venue | Lord’s Cricket Ground, London |
| Series Status | Series tied 1-1 |
| Toss | England won the toss and chose to bat |
| England Score (Stumps Day 1) | 109/2 |
| Top England Batters (Day 1) | Joe Root (unbeaten), Ollie Pope (unbeaten) |
| Early Wickets | Zak Crawley (24), Ben Duckett (14) – both taken by Nitish Reddy |
| India’s Best Bowlers | Nitish Reddy (2 wickets), Bumrah, Siraj – tight bowling spells |
| Wicketkeeper Injury | Rishabh Pant injured during fielding, replaced by Dhruv Jurel temporarily |
| Pitch Conditions | Good early movement, low carry, favors seamers; may ease out for batting later |
| Average 1st Innings Score at Lord’s | ~309 runs |
| India’s Past Record at Lord’s | 3 wins in 19 Tests; last win in 2021 under Virat Kohli |
| Special Moment | Sachin Tendulkar rang the Lord’s bell before the start |
| Players to Watch (India) | Jasprit Bumrah, Shubman Gill, Nitish Reddy |
| Players to Watch (England) | Joe Root, Ollie Pope, Jonny Bairstow |
| Strategy Moving Forward (India) | Break Root-Pope partnership early; adjust to pitch without Pant behind stumps |
| Strategy Moving Forward (England) | Build a solid score with Root and Pope; exploit pitch easing on Days 2 & 3 |
| Match Importance | Decider momentum; part of Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy legacy |
Conclusion
Day 1 was a good example of Test cricket. England reached 109/2 when Pant got hurt, with Root and Pope looking good. India bowled well, with Bumrah, Siraj, and Reddy standing out. It should continue like this and get more and more thrilling.
For cricket fans, this Test is not to be missed, with every session likely to have something exciting. Where can India bounce back after Pant’s injury? Can Root and Pope put England in the driver’s seat? And how will the pitch change over the next few days? Stay tuned!
Frequently Asked Questions – India vs England, 3rd Test, Day 1 at Lord’s
Q1. What is the current status of the India vs England Test series 2025?
The series is tied 1-1. England won the first Test at Headingley, while India bounced back strongly in the second Test at Edgbaston. The third Test at Lord’s is crucial to gaining a lead in this five-match series.
Q2. Why is the 3rd Test at Lord’s considered important?
Lord’s is one of the most iconic cricket venues in the world. With the series level, this match could be a turning point. The pitch’s unique bounce and seam make it challenging, and the historical significance adds pressure. Also, the series is named after Sachin Tendulkar and James Anderson, two greats of the game.
Q3. What was the highlight of Day 1 at Lord’s?
The key highlight was the partnership between Joe Root and Ollie Pope after England were reduced to 44/2. Nitish Reddy took two important early wickets, but England recovered well. Another major moment was Rishabh Pant’s injury, which could have a big impact on the rest of the match.
Q4. What happened to Rishabh Pant during Day 1?
Rishabh Pant injured his fingers while trying to stop a delivery. Though he initially continued, he later had to leave the field in pain. Dhruv Jurel replaced him as the substitute wicketkeeper. Pant’s status remains uncertain for the rest of the match.
Q5. Who stood out for India on Day 1?
Nitish Reddy was impressive, taking two quick wickets in his debut Lord’s appearance. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj also bowled tightly and kept pressure on the English batters. Bumrah’s control and pace were particularly crucial on a pitch with low carry.
Q6. How did England perform with the bat on Day 1?
England reached 109/2 at stumps. Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett started steadily but were dismissed in quick succession. Joe Root and Ollie Pope steadied the innings and built a promising partnership under testing conditions.
Q7. What is special about Lord’s as a venue for India?
India has won only 3 out of 19 Tests at Lord’s. However, the memorable 2021 win under Virat Kohli remains a recent highlight. The venue’s slope and seam movement make it challenging for visiting teams, but India is showing signs of improvement here.
Q8. How is the Lord’s pitch behaving in this Test match?
The pitch on Day 1 had decent pace and some movement for seamers, but lacked consistent bounce and carry. Bowlers who kept a tight line and length were rewarded. Historically, batting becomes easier as the match progresses, so Day 2 and 3 will be crucial.
Q9. What’s the strategy ahead for both teams?
India needs to break the Root-Pope partnership early and maintain pressure, especially with Pant possibly unavailable. England will look to build a strong first-innings total while the pitch still offers something to batters. Both sides must adapt quickly.
Q10. Who are the players to watch as the Test progresses?
For India: Jasprit Bumrah for his ability to produce breakthroughs, Shubman Gill for his batting form, and Nitish Reddy for his all-round contributions.
For England: Joe Root and Ollie Pope with the bat, and later, the home team’s seamers could play a key role depending on the surface.