Lord’s, London:
With the five-match Test series tantalisingly poised at 1–1, all eyes now turn to the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground as India and England clash in the third Test, starting Thursday. Both teams come into the game with confidence and a few bold changes, but Day 1 could be dictated by fast bowlers and the Lord’s slope.
Series So Far: 1-1 and Everything to Play For
After England’s thumping win at Leeds, India roared back at Edgbaston with a clinical all-round performance to level the series. As the pendulum swings back to Lord’s a venue rich in history and unpredictability the third Test is set to be pivotal in determining momentum.
2 HOURS TO GO FOR TOSS 🤯
– Huge crowd at Lord’s for the Test match between India vs England. pic.twitter.com/uUcGvlJzW6
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 10, 2025
Team News: Archer Returns, Bumrah Back
England have made one significant change, bringing back Jofra Archer for his first home Test since 2020. He replaces the injured Josh Tongue and will lead a seam-heavy attack alongside Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse. England captain Ben Stokes, who has struggled for big runs so far, remains a crucial figure with the bat.
India, meanwhile, welcome the return of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who missed the previous Test as part of workload management. He rejoins Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep, while the core batting unit of Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, and KL Rahul remains intact. Gill is in red-hot form with 585 runs in just four innings.
Pitch and Conditions: Green and Challenging:
The Lord’s pitch has a noticeable green tinge, suggesting assistance for seamers early on. With the traditional 2.5-meter slope in play, both swing and seam are expected to pose serious challenges for batters on Day 1.
Indian batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has acknowledged the “spicy” nature of the pitch, emphasizing the importance of discipline and technique in the first two sessions.
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Weather Report: Clear, Hot, and Favorable for Cricket
Conditions in London are expected to be hot and sunny, with temperatures soaring to 31°C (88°F). The chance of rain is minimal, promising an uninterrupted day of Test cricket. Fast bowlers may benefit from the dry surface early on, while spinners could enter the game later in the match.
Match-Ups and What to Watch For
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Archer vs Gill: The returning England quick against India’s most prolific batter this series.
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Siraj & Bumrah vs Root: India’s strike duo will be aiming to dismiss England’s senior-most batter cheaply.
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Pant’s aggression vs England’s control: The left-hander’s shot selection could be a game-changer.
Spin could play a bigger role from Day 4 onwards, with Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Shoaib Bashir in contention to exploit any late turn.
What to Expect on Day 1
The toss will be crucial, with both captains likely to opt for bowling first to exploit early movement. Batters will need to be patient and technically solid, especially in the morning session. With both pace attacks strengthened, expect a gripping battle in the first two sessions.
With near-perfect conditions for cricket and two sides full of firepower, Day 1 at Lord’s promises drama, discipline, and high-quality Test cricket. Whether it’s Jofra Archer’s comeback spell or Bumrah’s pinpoint reverse swing, expect a day that could define the series.
