London, July 9, 2025: The iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground is bracing for a fiery showdown—both on and off the field—as India National Cricket Team vs England National Cricket Team lock horns in the third Test of what has already been a high-scoring, hard-fought series. With the contest tantalizingly poised at 1-1, the match starting July 10 will mark a defining moment. And the stage couldn’t be grander—or hotter.
Soaring temperatures, predicted to hit 32°C during the Test, have forced the MCC to relax its legendary dress code, allowing members to go jacketless in the Pavilion. It’s not just the weather that’s heating up—tensions, tactics, and tempers are also on the rise.
The Stakes: Momentum at the Mecca of Cricket
Unlike the neutral solemnity of last month’s WTC Final, the upcoming clash carries a sharper edge. This isn’t just another Test match. This is about momentum, character, and survival. England, after fielding on eight out of the last ten days, are under scrutiny. India, fresh off their historic win at Edgbaston—the first ever for an Asian side at the venue—walk in with visible confidence.
India’s young but composed skipper Shubman Gill looks increasingly like the side’s axis. His 430-run aggregate across the first two Tests has left even England’s batting coach Marcus Trescothick in awe—and exhaustion.
Return of the Speed Demons: Archer vs Bumrah
This Test will see the return of two pace powerhouses. For England, it’s Jofra Archer—back in whites for the first time since 2021, and at the very venue where he made his iconic debut in 2019 by rattling Steve Smith. Archer replaces Josh Tongue in the XI, as England aim to add some bite to their attack.
India, on the other hand, welcome back their own lethal weapon—Jasprit Bumrah. He missed the previous Test but returns to lead an attack that has already looked potent on England’s flat decks. With Mohammed Siraj expected to push through despite fatigue, India might retain Washington Sundar as their spin-bowling allrounder, resisting the urge to bring in Sai Sudharsan.
Team Line-ups: England Go with Archer, India Stick with Balance
England Playing XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir
India Probable XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Karun Nair, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj
England’s bowling attack has logged an exhausting 443 overs in just two matches. With a short turnaround and hot weather, the inclusion of Archer and retention of Carse seem both tactical and necessary. Chris Woakes—exceptional at Lord’s—will be key again, boasting a jaw-dropping bowling average of 12.91 at the venue.
Pitch and Conditions: Heat, Humidity, and Hope for Movement
With London just emerging from a heatwave, conditions are expected to test players physically. There’s a noticeable green tinge on the Lord’s pitch, suggesting early help for pacers. However, the trend at this venue has often been tricky early on, followed by friendlier batting conditions as the game wears on.
India’s approach might involve batting long, playing risk-averse cricket, and dragging England into the grind—a direct counter to the Bazball doctrine. England, meanwhile, must balance aggression with caution as the Dukes ball has proved unreliable—going soft after just 30 overs, turning the match into a waiting game for the second new ball.
Stats That Matter
India at Lord’s: India have won three times at Lord’s—1986, 2014, and most recently in 2021. It remains their most successful venue in England.
Chris Woakes at Lord’s: Woakes averages 12.91 with the ball and 42.50 with the bat at Lord’s. He was Player of the Match against India here in 2018.
Run Fest: The series has already witnessed 3365 runs across the first two Tests—the highest aggregate for the opening two matches in any Test series. The previous best? 3230 runs during the 1924/25 Ashes.
Final Word: Series in the Balance, Pressure on Both Camps
With the series level at 1-1, this Lord’s Test is more than just a match—it’s a tone-setter. England are desperate for a turnaround, India are looking to cement their ascendancy. Amid the sweat and sunlight of a London summer, the battle will be fierce, and the margin for error thin.
From strategy shifts to returning stars, from pitch puzzles to endurance tests, Lord’s is ready. The question is: who adapts faster?
Match Details:
Fixture: England vs India, 3rd Test
Date: July 10-14, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM Local | 3:30 PM IST
Venue: Lord’s Cricket Ground, London
Broadcast and Live Streaming Details for India vs England 3rd Test 2025:
The broadcasting rights for the India vs England Test series are with Sony Sports Network, which will telecast all matches live on its TV channels. Meanwhile, fans can enjoy the live streaming of the 3rd Test match on the JioCinema App, continuing from the previous matches.
