England vs India 3rd Test Match Preview: 10 July 2025 – Lord’s Cricket Ground, London

Date: 10 July 2025
Time: 11:00 GMT / 3:30 PM IST
Venue: Lord's Cricket Ground, London
Series: India Tour of England 2025 (Part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025/27)
Series Standings: Series tied 1-1 after a thrilling win by India at Edgbaston in the second Test

Match Context

The third Test between England and India is set to be a thrilling encounter at one of cricket’s most iconic venues, Lord’s. With the series currently level at 1-1, this match is crucial for both teams as they aim to gain the upper hand in the five-match series. The previous Test at Edgbaston saw India clinch a dominant 336-run victory, powered by Shubman Gill’s magnificent 269 and Jasprit Bumrah’s return to form with 5 wickets.

England, having lost the second Test for the first time in 11 Tests under Brendon McCullum’s captaincy, will be eager to regroup and bounce back at home. With the momentum shifting between the sides, this Test promises to be a high-stakes battle of skill, strategy, and character.

Head-to-Head Record

• Total Tests Played: 138
• India Wins: 36
• England Wins: 52
• Draws: 50

Pitch and Weather Conditions

Pitch Conditions at Lord’s:

• The surface at Lord’s has evolved into a more bowler-friendly track in recent years, especially after the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final held at the venue.
• The pitch tends to offer assistance to seam and swing bowlers, particularly in the first innings, with moderate bounce and carry.
• The average first innings score at Lord’s is around 270, and chasing teams have a 57% win rate, indicating that a strong first innings score could be the key to victory.

Weather Forecast:

• Temperature: 22°C
• Sky Condition: Clear
• Precipitation: No rain expected throughout the Test
• The dry and sunny conditions are expected to aid seam bowlers early on, making it crucial for the batting side to build a solid foundation.

Team News and Probable XIs

India Playing XI:

1. Yashasvi Jaiswal
2. KL Rahul
3. Karun Nair
4. Shubman Gill (c)
5. Rishabh Pant (wk)
6. Ravindra Jadeja
7. Shardul Thakur
8. Washington Sundar
9. Akash Deep
10. Mohammed Siraj
11. Jasprit Bumrah

• Key Notes: With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli having retired from Test cricket, the spotlight is on Shubman Gill to step up as the new leader. Former India player Deep Dasgupta has predicted a "rebirth" for Gill at No. 4, and his performance in the second Test (269) has already signaled a new chapter in his Test career.
• Jasprit Bumrah’s return to the side after a brief layoff is a major boost for India’s pace attack.

England Playing XI:

1. Zak Crawley
2. Ben Duckett
3. Ollie Pope
4. Joe Root
5. Harry Brook
6. Ben Stokes (c)
7. Jamie Smith (wk)
8. Gus Atkinson
9. Jofra Archer
10. Josh Tongue
11. Shoaib Bashir

• Key Notes: England will rely heavily on their experienced middle order, with Joe Root and Harry Brook expected to shoulder the responsibility. Jamie Smith, the wicketkeeper, will also be crucial in supporting the batting line-up.
• The pace attack, led by Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue, could exploit the conditions at Lord’s, especially early in the game.

Key Players to Watch

India:

• Shubman Gill – The new Test captain has been in sensational form and is expected to continue his good run.
• Jasprit Bumrah – The premier fast bowler has been instrumental in India's recent Test successes.
• Rishabh Pant – The wicketkeeper-batter has the ability to change the course of the game with his aggressive strokeplay.
• Mohammed Siraj – A reliable seamer who can exploit the conditions at Lord’s.

England:

• Joe Root – One of the most experienced batters in the world, Root will be key for England’s batting success.
• Harry Brook – The rising star has been in great form and is a strong contender for the top run-scorer.
• Josh Tongue – A fast bowler with a sharp line, Tongue could be a threat on a seamer-friendly pitch.
• Ben Stokes – The all-rounder brings both batting and bowling experience to the side.

Match Prediction

Lord’s has been a happy hunting ground for England in recent years, and the home side will look to capitalize on the conditions. However, India’s performance in the second Test has shown that they are a formidable side on any surface, especially when led by a resurgent Shubman Gill.

While the surface is expected to favor seam bowling early on, the dry weather could assist the spinners as the match progresses. A score of around 300-320 in the first innings could be the target for a successful chase.

Score Prediction:

• India First Innings: 310
• England First Innings: 250
• India Second Innings: 280
• England Second Innings: 200

Winner Prediction:

• India to win the match, with a potential margin of 60+ runs, based on their current momentum and strong batting line-up.

Conclusion

The third Test between England and India at Lord’s promises to be a gripping contest. With India coming off a big win and England determined to regain the initiative, the match will be decided by who can adapt better to the conditions and play with more composure under pressure. Shubman Gill will be the key for India, while Joe Root and Harry Brook will look to lead the charge for England.

Final Prediction: India to Win by 60+ Runs
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