After winning the toss and electing to bat on a bright Thursday morning, England were pegged back by India’s bowlers in the opening session. Young seamer Nitish Kumar Reddy struck twice in a single over to remove both openers, Ben Duckett (23) and Zak Crawley (18), reducing the home side to 44 for 2
Joe Root (Pic: AFP)
Joe Root produced a composed, unbeaten 99 to anchor England’s innings as the hosts closed Day One of the third Test against India at Lord’s on 251 for 4. Root, alongside captain Ben Stokes, who remained unbeaten on 39, guided England through a testing final session after early and late breakthroughs from the Indian bowlers.
After winning the toss and electing to bat on a bright Thursday morning, England were pegged back by India’s bowlers in the opening session. Young seamer Nitish Kumar Reddy struck twice in a single over to remove both openers, Ben Duckett (23) and Zak Crawley (18), reducing the home side to 44 for 2.
The early breakthroughs brought Joe Root and Ollie Pope together. The pair then led England’s recovery with a steady partnership that added substance to the innings. Root, playing with typical calm and precision, was fluent through the off-side and untroubled by the Indian attack for most of his innings. Pope contributed a solid 44 before falling just short of a half-century.
India’s bowlers, however, ensured that England did not run away with the advantage. Jasprit Bumrah bowled with pace and discipline, while left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja applied pressure in the middle overs. Pope was eventually dismissed by Jadeja, giving India a much-needed breakthrough before the Tea interval.
In the final session, Root continued to hold firm, expertly rotating strike and finding the boundary when needed. He was particularly effective against spin, using his feet to Jadeja and finding gaps to keep the scoreboard moving. Root’s innings was a reminder of his class and experience, especially under pressure.
Stokes, meanwhile, provided sturdy support at the other end. Though he played cautiously at the start of his innings, the England skipper grew in confidence as the session progressed, playing some authoritative strokes on both sides of the wicket.
India’s bowlers struck again late in the day to dismiss Jonny Bairstow, but Root and Stokes ensured there were no further hiccups, taking England safely to stumps. Root finished the day just one run shy of what would have been a well-deserved century, and his efforts have positioned England well going into Day Two.
Brief scores at stumps: England: 251 for 4 in 83 overs (Joe Root 99*; Ben Stokes 39*; Ollie Pope 44; Nitish Kumar Reddy 2/46, Jasprit Bumrah 1/53, Ravindra Jadeja 1/48)
(With PTI inputs)
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