IND vs ENG, 3rd Test Day 1: Root on 99*, England 251/4.
IND vs ENG, 3rd Test Day 1 Highlights: Joe Root Stranded on 99* Overnight; India Bowl Well to Hold England to 251/4.
Match Overview
On a gripping Day 1 of the third Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Lord’s, England reached stumps at 251/4, with Joe Root stranded on an agonizing 99*.
The day was a balanced affair, with India’s disciplined bowling attack keeping England’s aggressive Bazball approach in check, while Root’s patient innings ensured the hosts ended the day with a slight edge. With the series level at 1-1, both teams are vying for supremacy in this crucial five-match contest, and Day 1 set the stage for an enthralling battle.
Lord’s, known for its pace-friendly conditions, lived up to its reputation as India’s seamers exploited early movement to challenge England’s top order. However, Root’s resilient knock, supported by contributions from Zak Crawley (67) and Ben Stokes (41), kept England in a strong position. India, led by the returning Jasprit Bumrah, will look to capitalize on the new ball on Day 2 to disrupt England’s middle order and limit their first-innings total.
Day 1 Highlights
Morning Session: India Strike Early
India won the toss and elected to bowl first, banking on the pace and bounce of the Lord’s pitch. Jasprit Bumrah, back in the side after missing the second Test, set the tone with a fiery opening spell. Alongside Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep, Bumrah ensured England’s openers, Rory Burns and Zak Crawley, were tested early. Burns (12) was the first to fall, edging a sharp outswinger from Bumrah to Rishabh Pant behind the stumps in the 7th over.
Crawley, however, looked assured, combining solid defense with occasional drives to keep the scoreboard ticking. He was joined by Joe Root, who adopted a cautious approach, respecting the disciplined lines from India’s seamers. The morning session saw England reach 78/1 at lunch, with Crawley on 45* and Root on 20*. India’s bowlers, particularly Bumrah, maintained tight lines, conceding just 2.8 runs per over.
Afternoon Session: England Fight Back
Post-lunch, Crawley and Root began to assert themselves. Crawley reached his fifty with a crisp cover drive off Siraj, while Root played with characteristic fluency, picking gaps through the off-side. India introduced spin in the form of Ravichandran Ashwin, but the pitch offered little assistance for the off-spinner early on. Crawley’s aggressive intent was evident as he lofted Ashwin for a six over mid-on, signaling England’s intent to counterattack.
However, India struck back just before tea. Akash Deep, who was relentless with his probing lengths, induced an edge from Crawley (67) that was snapped up by Virat Kohli at second slip. England went to tea at 142/2, with Root (48*) and Jonny Bairstow (8*) at the crease. The session was evenly poised, with England scoring 64 runs but losing a crucial wicket.
Evening Session: Root’s Masterclass and India’s Late Surge
The final session saw Joe Root take center stage. Displaying immense patience and technical prowess, Root navigated India’s pace attack with ease, moving into the 90s with a series of deft cuts and drives. Bairstow (21) fell to a brilliant inswinger from Bumrah, who found the gap between bat and pad to rattle the stumps. Ben Stokes joined Root, and the duo added a vital 70-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
Stokes played with controlled aggression, hitting three boundaries off Siraj, but fell late in the day to a clever slower ball from Shardul Thakur, caught at mid-off for 41. Moeen Ali (4*) joined Root, who was on 99* as stumps were called. India’s bowlers, particularly Bumrah (2/54) and Deep (1/47), kept the pressure on, ensuring England couldn’t fully break free.
Key Performances
England
Joe Root (99)*: Root’s unbeaten knock was the highlight of the day. His ability to grind out runs on a challenging pitch showcased his class, though he will be frustrated at being stranded one run short of a century.
Zak Crawley (67): Crawley’s fluent half-century provided England with a solid foundation, though his dismissal before tea halted their momentum.
Ben Stokes (41): Stokes’ counterattacking knock ensured England maintained a healthy run rate, but his departure late in the day gave India a slight opening.
India
Jasprit Bumrah (2/54): The spearhead of India’s attack, Bumrah was menacing with the new ball and accounted for Burns and Bairstow with unplayable deliveries.
Akash Deep (1/47): Deep continued his fine form from Edgbaston, troubling England’s batters with his relentless accuracy.
Shardul Thakur (1/38): Thakur’s clever variations, including the slower ball that dismissed Stokes, proved crucial in the final session.
Match Context and Insights
The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy is finely poised at 1-1. England’s five-wicket win in the series opener at Headingley was powered by their aggressive Bazball approach, chasing down 370 with ease. India, however, bounced back emphatically at Edgbaston, where Shubman Gill’s 430-run marathon and the bowling heroics of Siraj and Deep secured a 336-run victory—their first-ever Test win at the venue.
Lord’s, known as the “Home of Cricket,” has historically been a tough venue for India, with only three wins in 19 Tests. However, their memorable 2021 victory under Virat Kohli’s leadership, where they gave England “60 overs of hell,” will inspire confidence. The pitch at Lord’s, prepared with extra pace and bounce at England’s request, played true to expectations on Day 1, offering seam movement early and settling into a good batting surface as the day progressed.
England’s decision to bring back Jofra Archer for Josh Tongue adds firepower to their attack, but India’s bowlers, led by Bumrah, matched them blow for blow. The average first-innings total at Lord’s in recent Tests is 309, and England’s 251/4 puts them in a strong position to surpass that mark, provided Root and Moeen Ali can build on Day 2.
India’s Strategy Moving Forward
India will rely heavily on the new ball early on Day 2 to dismiss Root and disrupt England’s middle order. Bumrah’s ability to generate late swing and Siraj’s hostility will be key. With Ravichandran Ashwin likely to play a bigger role as the pitch wears, India will aim to bowl England out for under 350 to keep the game in balance.
Shubman Gill, in sublime form, will be crucial for India’s batting response. The top order, including Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal, will need to navigate England’s pace attack, particularly Archer, who is making his Test comeback after four years.
England’s Game Plan
England will look to Root to convert his 99* into a big hundred, with Moeen Ali and the lower order providing support. A total of 400+ will put India under pressure, especially given the visitors’ struggles at Lord’s historically. Archer’s return adds intrigue to England’s bowling attack, and they will aim to exploit the pitch’s pace and bounce when India bat.
Statistical Insights
Joe Root at Lord’s: Root’s 99* takes his Test runs at Lord’s to 1,234 at an average of 51.41, with three centuries and five fifties.
India’s bowling at Lord’s: India’s seamers have taken 67 wickets in their last five Tests at Lord’s, with Bumrah accounting for 19 of those.
England’s first-innings totals: England have crossed 300 in their last three first innings at Lord’s, indicating their comfort at the venue.
Quotes of the Day
Jasprit Bumrah: “It’s always special to bowl at Lord’s. The ball was moving nicely, and we stuck to our plans. We’ll come back fresh tomorrow to get that early breakthrough.”
Joe Root: “Frustrating to be on 99*, but it’s about building a big total tomorrow. The pitch is good, and we’ve got a chance to put India under pressure.”
Looking Ahead
Day 2 promises to be a pivotal one. If Root can convert his start into a big hundred and England post a total north of 350, they will hold the upper hand. However, India’s bowling attack, led by Bumrah, has the quality to strike early and keep England in check. The battle between England’s batters and India’s seamers will likely dictate the course of this Test.
With the series level and both teams showcasing their strengths, the Lord’s Test is shaping up to be a classic. India’s resilience and England’s adaptability will be tested over the next four days, with the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy hanging in the balance.
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