Joe Root’s unbeaten 99 served as the anchor for England on a testing opening day of the third Test against India at Lord’s, as the hosts battled to 251-4 by stumps.
On a dry, slow pitch that is already showing signs of wear and promises further deterioration as the match unfolds, England were forced into a more conservative style of play. The typically aggressive batting lineup had to adapt, managing just over three runs an over in an innings marked by grit rather than flair.
Winning the toss under the sweltering London sun, England opted to bat first — a decision that drew loud cheers from the home crowd. But the enthusiasm was soon tempered by India’s disciplined bowling. Nitish Kumar Reddy provided an early breakthrough, removing both openers in the same over to leave England in early trouble at 44-2.
Joe Root, ever dependable, began rebuilding with Ollie Pope. The pair dug in for a crucial 109-run stand that steadied the innings. Pope was cautious, grinding out 44 runs from 104 deliveries, a reflection of the tough batting conditions. Just as the partnership appeared to be blossoming, Pope and Harry Brook fell in quick succession after tea, triggering a mini-collapse that left England wobbling at 172-4.
Root, however, remained unshaken. With his trademark poise and patience, he adapted to the challenge and anchored the innings through to the end of the day. His footwork was measured, his shot selection precise, and his focus unbroken. By close, he was just one run shy of a deserved century.
Ben Stokes, battling what appeared to be a groin injury, offered valuable support. Though visibly uncomfortable at times, the England skipper dug deep for an unbeaten 39, contributing to an unbroken 79-run partnership with Root that helped England recover from their mid-innings slump.
India’s bowling unit, though short on rewards, maintained relentless pressure throughout the day. They bowled with control and consistency, extracting what little assistance the surface offered. The heat added to the challenge, but they continued to probe away, with Reddy finishing the day as the pick of the bowlers.
A moment of regret for India came when captain Shubman Gill dropped a catch to reprieve Pope on the batter’s very first ball. The miss allowed England to stabilize when they might have been under deeper pressure.
Meanwhile, India have an injury concern of their own. Star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant injured a finger and spent most of the day off the field, potentially casting doubt over his availability for the remainder of the match.
As the Test progresses, the pitch is expected to offer more turn and unpredictable bounce, setting the stage for an intense contest. With Root well set and Stokes showing resilience, England will aim to push towards a substantial first-innings total. India, though disciplined and patient, will look to make early inroads on day two to regain control of the match.
