Lord’s, London:
After a closely fought opening day in the third Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Lord’s, England find themselves at 251/4 in 83 overs, with Joe Root unbeaten on 99 and skipper Ben Stokes on 39. While the day ended evenly poised, India have a real chance to take control on Day 2 if they execute their plans with precision.
Here’s what Shubman Gill’s side must focus on to dominate the second day:
Strike Early with the Second New Ball
India will have access to the second new ball in the morning session just 7 overs into Day 2. Given the moisture and movement available in the first hour at Lord’s, Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj must use it as a weapon. The ball is expected to zip around more in the cooler morning conditions, making early breakthroughs possible.
Action Plan:
- Bowl full and just outside off stump to Root and Stokes.
- Set attacking fields with 3-4 slips to create pressure.
- Don’t let the batsmen settle into a rhythm.
Dismiss Joe Root Early
Joe Root’s 99 off 191 balls has been the spine of England’s innings. He has shown classic Test match patience and technique. But if India can get him out early on Day 2, they open the door to the tail.
Tactical Focus:
- Attack with Bumrah from the Pavilion End, using the Lord’s slope to angle the ball in and seam it away.
- Mix up lengths to test Root’s footwork and induce an edge.
- Ravindra Jadeja can also be tried if Root shows tentativeness against spin.
Also Read: Was It ‘Bazball’ Or ‘Blockball’?: Review Of Day 1 Of Lord’s Test!
Exploit Ben Stokes’ Injury
Stokes looked slightly hampered by a groin niggle late on Day 1. His running between the wickets was conservative, and his strokeplay more restricted than usual.
What India Should Do:
- Test him with short-pitched deliveries to force movement.
- Keep fielders alert for quick singles to capitalize on misjudgments.
- Bowl tight to keep him stuck at one end, piling on physical and mental pressure.
England captain Ben Stokes is fit to resume his innings this morning 🚨#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/umFcvqCsUF
— England’s Barmy Army 🏴🎺 (@TheBarmyArmy) July 11, 2025
Make Use of the Lord’s Slope
The unique slope at Lord’s plays tricks on both batters and bowlers. From the Pavilion End, right-arm seamers can angle the ball in to right-handers and get late movement away perfect for someone like Bumrah.
Recommendation:
- Stick to the natural angle created by the slope.
- Avoid over-pitching use subtle seam movement.
- Keep mid-on and short leg active for misjudged shots.
Don’t Let the Lower Order Settle
If India can break the Root-Stokes partnership within the first 45 minutes, the focus must immediately shift to cleaning up the tail. England still have Bairstow, Wood, and the bowlers to come.
How to Close It Out:
- Introduce Jadeja and rotate pace and spin.
- Keep the pressure up with attacking fields.
- Avoid giving freebies bowlers must stick to their plans.
Mental Edge: India Ahead?
Though England batters showed resistance, India’s bowling was relentless, and they kept the run rate under control (just above 3 RPO). With a fresh second new ball and slightly overcast conditions expected in the morning, India will feel they are in a strong position to dictate terms.
To take charge on Day 2, India must:
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Break the Root-Stokes stand early,
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Exploit the slope and morning movement, and
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Bowl with precision and intensity through the middle and lower order.
If Shubman Gill’s bowlers execute well, India could be batting by Tea, eyeing a first-innings lead and setting up a potentially match-defining advantage in this crucial Test.
