India vs England, 3rd Test at Lord’s (July 2025): Joe Root Steadies England, India Stay Competitive

July 11, 2025
|In Sports
|By Ajay Yadav

Introduction

The highly anticipated five-match Test series between India and England reached its pivotal moment with the 3rd Test at Lord’s, played from July 10–14, 2025. With the series level at 1–1, the third encounter was more than just a match—it was a battle for control, momentum, and supremacy in red-ball cricket’s most historic rivalry.

As the first day concluded, the focus was squarely on Joe Root, whose composed, unbeaten 99 anchored England’s innings at 251/4. Meanwhile, India’s bowlers, especially debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy, kept the visitors competitive with disciplined spells and strategic breakthroughs.

Series Context: 1–1 and Rising Tension

  • England won the 1st Test at Headingley by 5 wickets.

  • India bounced back in the 2nd Test at Edgbaston with a 173-run victory.

  • With the series tied, the Lord’s Test became a high-pressure encounter to determine who seizes the upper hand ahead of the final two Tests.

Day 1: England Wins Toss and Bats First

Captain Ben Stokes won the toss and chose to bat—a decision reflecting both confidence and the importance of a solid first innings total.

Early Jitters

Openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett started cautiously, but India struck early.

  • Nitish Kumar Reddy, making his Test debut, removed both openers in the space of one over.

  • Duckett edged to second slip for 23, while Crawley fell to a fuller delivery on 18.

  • England were reeling at 44/2, with pressure mounting on the middle order.

Joe Root and Ollie Pope Rebuild

Root’s Mastery

  • Root exhibited textbook Test match batting—leaving balls outside off, rotating strike, and dispatching anything loose.

  • He reached 50 off 121 balls, absorbing pressure while controlling the innings tempo.

  • Root ended the day on 99 off 191 balls*, poised for his 37th Test century.

Pope’s Grit

  • Ollie Pope supported Root with a valuable 44 off 102 balls, digging in to stabilize the innings.

  • The 109-run partnership between Root and Pope helped England wrest back momentum.

Stokes and Root Steady at Stumps

After Pope’s dismissal, Ben Stokes walked in and played a patient knock, finishing the day unbeaten on 39. The Root-Stokes stand grew to 98 by stumps*, and England closed Day 1 at a respectable 251/4.

India’s Bowling: Disciplined and Varied

Nitish Kumar Reddy Impresses on Debut

  • The 21-year-old medium pacer returned figures of 2/46.

  • Dismissed both openers with accurate seam bowling.

  • Showed calm under pressure, using the slope at Lord’s effectively.

Bumrah and Jadeja Contain Middle Order

  • Jasprit Bumrah took the key wicket of Harry Brook.

  • Ravindra Jadeja bowled 19 overs for just 26 runs, keeping run-flow under control and applying pressure.

Akash Deep and Siraj Provide Support

  • Though wicketless, both bowled tight lines and lengths.

  • India used the new ball with caution but couldn’t break the Root-Stokes partnership before close.

Player Highlights

Joe Root

  • Passed 3,000 career Test runs against India, the first player to do so.

  • Root now has over 2,500 runs at Lord’s, more than any player in history.

  • Calm, composed, and classic—his innings may prove match-defining.

Nitish Kumar Reddy

Match Situation at End of Day 1

England Innings Runs Overs Wickets
Stumps Day 1 251 83 4

  • Root: 99*

  • Stokes: 39*

  • Fall of wickets: 1-43 (Duckett), 2-44 (Crawley), 3-153 (Pope), 4-178 (Brook)

Tactical Takeaways

England’s Positives

  • Root’s control sets the stage for a 350+ total.

  • Stokes’ return to batting form adds lower-order depth.

England’s Concerns

  • Stokes looked uncomfortable running between the wickets.

  • The absence of significant lower-order resistance could expose England on Day 2.

India’s Positives

  • Debutant Reddy’s double strike.

  • Maintained an economy of 3.02 runs per over across the day.

India’s Challenges

  • Root remains unbeaten—removing him early on Day 2 will be vital.

  • The second new ball was taken late—needs to be utilized aggressively in the morning session.

Day 2 Outlook

  • England will aim to post 375–400, with Root nearing a century.

  • India will look to strike early—key wickets could open up the tail.

  • Weather forecasts remain clear—ideal for batting in first session.

Strategic Angle: Who Holds the Advantage?

Despite England’s stable position, India can feel confident:

  • The pitch is flattening, which could favor Indian batters in the 2nd innings.

  • Root is the key. Remove him early, and the match could tilt India’s way.

If Root carries his bat or reaches a big hundred, England could push for a score that puts India under scoreboard pressure.

Broader Significance

  • This Test is pivotal in the World Test Championship standings.

  • A win here takes either team to the top two in the WTC table.

  • Root’s run-chase against history continues, while India tests its bench strength.

Statistical Summary

  • Joe Root: 99* (191), SR: 51.83, 10 fours

  • Nitish Kumar Reddy: 13-2-46-2

  • Ollie Pope: 44 (102), partnership with Root: 109

  • England’s session-wise score:

    • Morning: 44/2

    • Afternoon: 153/3

    • Evening: 251/4

Conclusion

Day 1 of the 3rd Test at Lord’s saw Joe Root emerge as the backbone of England’s innings, while India’s debutant Reddy provided spark and potential. With England finishing strongly but not decisively, Day 2 holds the key to defining the direction of this match—and perhaps the series.

The chessboard is set. Root’s hundred or India’s new-ball breakthrough could swing momentum decisively. Either way, Test cricket fans are in for a gripping continuation at the home of cricket.