Lord’s Test Sees England Battle Hard Against India; Injuries Cloud Day 1
London, UK – July 11, 2025 – The iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground is currently hosting a gripping third Test match between England and India, with both teams battling for supremacy in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series, currently level at 1-1. Day 1 concluded with England at 251 for 4, spearheaded by a masterful unbeaten 99 from Joe Root, though the day was marred by injury concerns for both England captain Ben Stokes and India’s dynamic wicketkeeper, Rishabh Pant.
Having won the toss and elected to bat on a sunny Lord’s pitch, England initially adopted a more cautious approach than their famed “Bazball” style. Indian bowlers, particularly Nitish Kumar Reddy who claimed two crucial wickets, made early inroads, reducing England to 44 for 2. However, Joe Root, displaying sublime form, anchored the innings, forming key partnerships to steady the ship.
His unbroken 50-run stand with Ben Stokes (39*) at stumps proved vital after Ollie Pope (44) and Harry Brook (11) fell in quick succession.
Root’s innings was particularly significant, as he surpassed Graham Gooch to become Lord’s all-time leading run-scorer across all formats, and also became the first player to score 3000 runs against India in Test cricket.
However, the day wasn’t without its concerns for both camps. Ben Stokes appeared to be struggling with a groin injury while batting, requiring on-field treatment and visibly hampered in his running.
While England remains hopeful about their captain’s condition, the severity of the injury will be closely monitored. India also faced a setback when Rishabh Pant injured his left index finger while keeping wickets, forcing him to leave the field. Dhruv Jurel took over wicketkeeping duties in his absence.
This Test comes on the heels of a dominant performance by India in the second Test at Edgbaston, where they secured a historic 336-run victory, levelling the five-match series. That match saw captain Shubman Gill set multiple records, including becoming the first Indian captain to score a double century in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia).
As the third Test progresses, all eyes will be on the fitness of Stokes and Pant, and how both teams capitalize on the momentum swings in what promises to be a thrilling contest at the Home of Cricket.
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