England vs India 3rd Test Day 1 Scorecard: Under the historic skies of Lord’s Cricket Ground, Joe Root stood tall like a seasoned warrior, ending Day 1 of the third Test on the brink of a century. His unbeaten 99 off 191 balls anchored England to 251/4 at stumps, as the five-match series, currently tied 1-1, witnessed another day of absorbing Test cricket.
Despite losing early wickets, England found their rhythm thanks to Root’s composure and a gritty stand with skipper Ben Stokes (39* off 102 balls), who also showed remarkable restraint to keep the Indian bowlers at bay.
England’s Early Wobbles, Reddy Shines
After winning the toss and opting to bat, England had a shaky start. The Indian new-ball pair extracted early movement, and it was young Nitish Kumar Reddy who delivered key blows. In a span of just three deliveries, he removed both openers — Ben Duckett (23) and Zak Crawley (18) — reducing England to 44/2 and giving India the early momentum.
Crawley edged one to Rishabh Pant off Reddy, and Duckett followed soon after in a similar fashion. The dual breakthrough highlighted the maturity of Reddy, who continues to impress in only his second Test.
Root Resurrects, Pope and Brook Depart
Ollie Pope (44 off 104) tried to consolidate with Root, and the pair added a crucial 109 runs for the third wicket. Pope’s patient innings came to an end courtesy of Ravindra Jadeja, who lured him into a soft dismissal caught by the substitute fielder.
Harry Brook, another promising youngster, failed to convert his start and was cleaned up by Jasprit Bumrah for just 11. That left England wobbling at 172/4 midway through the second session.
Root’s Class and Stokes’ Steel
With wickets falling around him, Joe Root remained calm and clinical. His knock was a masterclass in Test match batting — patient, measured, and precise. He struck nine boundaries in his unbeaten innings, wearing down the Indian attack.
Captain Ben Stokes, known for his aggressive instincts, chose a different route today. His 39* off 102 balls was a lesson in discipline and matched Root’s resolve stroke for stroke. Together, they added an unbroken 79-run partnership by the end of the day.
India’s Bowling Effort: Bumrah Economical, Reddy Impactful
Jasprit Bumrah was once again India’s standout bowler, returning figures of 1/35 from 18 overs with his trademark economy and aggression. He constantly challenged the outside edge and was unlucky not to add more to his tally.
Debutant Akash Deep struggled for consistency, leaking 75 runs in 17 overs, while Mohammed Siraj (0/33) maintained pressure with a tight line. Nitish Kumar Reddy (2/46) was the real surprise package, showing confidence well beyond his age. Ravindra Jadeja bowled with rhythm and control to grab one wicket, while Washington Sundar kept things quiet from his end.
Stumps Summary – Day 1
At the close of play, England stood at 251/4 after 83 overs, with Joe Root one short of a well-deserved century. The balance slightly tilted in favor of the hosts, but a couple of quick wickets on Day 2 could easily swing the momentum back towards India.
Score Summary
England – 1st Innings: 251/4 in 83 overs
- Joe Root – 99* (191)
- Ben Stokes – 39* (102)
- Ollie Pope – 44 (104)
- Nitish Kumar Reddy – 2/46 (14)
- Jasprit Bumrah – 1/35 (18)
- Ravindra Jadeja – 1/26 (10)
What’s Next?
Day 2 promises high-stakes cricket, with Root eyeing his 31st Test century and India aiming to claw back into the match early. With the series locked at 1-1, every session from here could prove decisive.
