Root’s 99* Leads England Fightback After India’s Early Lord’s Test Wickets; Fans React

  • July 10, 2025

During the opening day of the third Test held at Lord’s, England elected to bat but encountered early challenges from India’s accurate bowling. Nonetheless, Joe Root once more showcased his importance to England’s batting lineup, carefully constructing an unbeaten 99 by the end of play. Despite a series of wickets falling at intervals, England concluded the day with a score of 251/4, as Root and captain Ben Stokes provided stability during the latter part of the session.

Joe Root holds England together with gritty 99 not out on Day 1 of Lord’s Test

England’s commencement was less than perfect when Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett were both dismissed within four balls by the incisive seam bowling of Nitish Kumar Reddy, leaving the home side at 44/2. Reddy, filling the role of India’s pace-bowling all-rounder, managed to find late movement that resulted in both openers being caught behind by Rishabh Pant. Subsequently, Root entered under duress and skillfully joined Ollie Pope to begin the recovery.

The duo contributed 109 runs for the third wicket through measured batting, with Pope playing a supporting role, contributing 44 from 104 deliveries before being dismissed right after the tea interval, thanks to a superb reflex catch by substitute wicket-keeper Dhruv Jurel off Ravindra Jadeja’s initial delivery of the session. Jurel’s intervention was immediate, executing a sharp dive to his right to grab a significant deflection from Pope’s bat, a moment that buoyed India’s spirits.

Root, unaffected by the dismissal, persisted in his determined approach, combining careful defense with well-timed attacking shots. He showed particular strength on the leg side and skillfully managed the Indian pace bowlers, achieving his half-century from 102 balls. His partnership with Harry Brook was short-lived, as Jasprit Bumrah dislodged Brook’s off stump with a classic in-swinging delivery. However, Stokes then partnered with Root to form another significant 79-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Root’s steady scoring and Stokes’ careful support ensured that England withstood the pressure. Root remained undefeated on 99, causing frustration for India as the day concluded.

India’s bowlers impress despite lack of wickets in final session

The Indian pace attack, spearheaded by Bumrah, maintained sharpness and consistency throughout the day’s play. Bumrah delivered 18 overs, conceding only 35 runs and securing the crucial wicket of Brook with an excellent delivery. Mohammed Siraj also maintained tight control with 14 overs for 33 runs, building pressure through his precise bowling. However, it was Nitish Reddy who claimed the early breakthroughs, utilizing angles and subtle movement to dismiss both openers at a low cost.

Akash Deep, appearing in his second Test of the series, bowled with enthusiasm but lacked pinpoint accuracy, conceding 75 runs in 17 overs. Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja bowled together in the middle overs, with Jadeja claiming Pope’s wicket, thanks to Jurel’s impressive catch. Jadeja’s spell of 1/26 offered control, and Sundar’s economy of 2.10 added value, despite him not taking a wicket. India effectively rotated their bowlers and restricted England to just 98 runs in the day’s final 34 overs. With Root approaching a century and Stokes well-set, the first hour of Day 2 will be critical in establishing the match’s direction. The visiting team will aim to quickly conclude the innings before the pitch becomes easier to bat on.

Also READ: ENG vs IND: Joe Root scripts history with unique Test milestone against India on Day 1 of Lord’s Test

Here’s how fans reacted:

Also WATCH: ENG vs IND [WATCH]: Mohammed Siraj mocks defensive Joe Root with Bazball jibe on Day 1 of Lord’s Test

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