Day 1 of the 3rd Test at Lord’s was full of action. England chose to bat and reached 251/4 by stumps. Joe Root led with an unbeaten 99, staying calm and strong. India’s bowlers, though, kept fighting back with four big wickets.
The pitch was slow, making batting tricky for England. Ben Stokes added 39, but he looked hurt later on. India’s Nitish Kumar Reddy took two wickets in one over, exciting the crowd. Rishabh Pant’s injury also worried India fans.
This day had ups and downs for both teams. England built a good base, but India stayed in the game. Fans can’t wait for Day 2 to see what happens next. For more on this England vs India series, check out the match scorecard.
England’s Slow but Steady Start at Lord’s
England’s batting started slow on Day 1 at Lord’s. They chose to bat first on a tough pitch. The score moved at just 3.02 runs per over. This was not their usual fast Bazball strategy.
Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley opened the innings. India’s bowlers made it hard for them early. Duckett got hit by Jasprit Bumrah’s fast balls often. Crawley tried big shots but fell to Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Then Joe Root and Ollie Pope teamed up well. They added 109 runs together, staying patient. Pope got out after tea to Ravindra Jadeja. Harry Brook also fell to Bumrah’s clever bowling.
By stumps, Root and Ben Stokes were still there. They built a 79-run partnership to keep England strong. The slow pitch forced England to play safe. Fans saw a different side of their England batting lineup for Ashes.
For more on tough batting days, see Australia vs South Africa. This Lord’s Test match showed England’s grit.
India’s Bowlers Strike Back with Smart Plans
India’s bowlers shone bright on Day 1 at Lord’s. They kept England’s scoring low all day long. Nitish Kumar Reddy grabbed two wickets fast. Jasprit Bumrah also bowled a beauty to get Harry Brook.
Reddy started strong by removing both openers quick. His outswinger to Crawley was a big moment. Bumrah came back and troubled England with his swing. He made Brook’s stumps fly with a sharp ball.
Ravindra Jadeja joined in after tea time. He got Pope out with his first ball. India’s plan was to bowl wide and wait. This stopped England from hitting big shots.
Even without wickets, Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj helped. They bowled tight lines to slow England down. India’s bowling attack kept the game close. The second new ball could be key tomorrow. Check out India’s past bowling wins at South Africa vs New Zealand. This Test cricket 2025 match is heating up!
Nitish Kumar Reddy’s Big Day
Nitish Kumar Reddy was India’s surprise star. He took two wickets in one over early. His first was a lucky short ball to Duckett. But his outswinger to Crawley was pure skill.
Reddy had no wickets in the last game. At Lord’s, he found his rhythm fast. His swing kept England’s batters guessing all day. He’s now a name to watch in this series.
For more on rising stars, read about Ricky Ponting’s captaincy. Reddy’s Nitish Kumar Reddy wickets made Day 1 exciting.
Joe Root’s Calm 99* Lights Up Lord’s
Joe Root was the hero for England on Day 1. He finished unbeaten on 99 runs. His calm play saved England from trouble. He faced 191 balls with ease and skill.
Root came in after India took two quick wickets. He and Ollie Pope built a strong stand. His shots were smart, not flashy, on a slow pitch. He even hit a big sweep off Jadeja.
By the end, Root was one run from a century. History says he’ll get it on Day 2. All 16 players stuck on 99 overnight made hundreds. Joe Root’s performance gave England hope.
Root loves Test cricket, just like Virat Kohli. Read more at Virat Kohli’s Love for Test Cricket. This Lord’s pitch conditions suited Root perfectly.
For past Root classics, see India vs Zimbabwe. He’s a big reason England leads.
Injuries Add Drama to Day 1 Action
Day 1 at Lord’s had injury scares for both sides. Rishabh Pant hurt his finger keeping to Bumrah. He left the field for 49 overs. Dhruv Jurel stepped in and caught Pope well.
Pant’s Rishabh Pant update worries India a lot. He’s key with bat and gloves. India hopes he’s back soon for Day 2. His absence could hurt their plans, like Sri Lanka.
Ben Stokes also had a tough day. He batted on 39 but seemed in pain. He got treatment and moved slowly later. England needs its Ben Stokes grit in this game.
Both teams want their stars fit soon. Injuries could change the England vs India series. For more injury news, check England vs West Indies. This Test cricket highlights Day 1 got extra tense!
Conclusion
Day 1 at Lord’s ended with England at 251/4. Joe Root’s 99* gave them a solid start. Ben Stokes fought hard despite his injury scare. India’s bowlers, led by Reddy, kept things tight.
The slow pitch made it a battle of patience. India took four wickets to stay in the fight. Pant’s injury and Stokes’ niggle added more twists. Day 2 could go either way now.
Will Root get his hundred and England push ahead? Or will India’s India fightback turn the game? Fans are buzzing for the next day’s play. Catch up on stats at India vs New Zealand. This Lord’s Test is shaping up to be a thriller. Don’t miss the cricket highlights Day 1 action!
