ENG vs IND 3rd Test 2025: Predicted Lineups & Day 1 Pitch Report

As the England vs India 3rd Test unfolds at Lord’s from 10–14 July 2025, both camps are finalising decisions on playing XIs to suit the seam-friendly conditions expected on Day 1. The toss winner will likely look to bowl first on a green, lively pitch, with both pace and patience set to dominate early proceedings.

Probable England XI

• Zak Crawley – solid opener; experienced despite mixed form
   
• Ben Duckett – aggressive left-hander and slip fielder
   
• Ollie Pope – vice-captain, in fine form; averages ~36 in Tests
   
• Joe Root – the series anchor for England
   
• Harry Brook – dynamic middle-order batter
   
• Ben Stokes (c) – captain under scrutiny but vital all-rounder
   
• Jamie Smith (wk) – successful in number 7 role with scores like 184 & 88
   
• Chris Woakes – dependable Lord’s seam bowler, retained for experience
   
• Jofra Archer – returning after long injury layoff; vital for bounce and pace
   
• Gus Atkinson – added for balance; fresh fast bowling option
   
• Brydon Carse – third seam seamer to complement pace attack
   

Key change insight: England likely replace spin-heavy options like Bashir and Tongue with Archer and Atkinson to exploit early seam under a green pitch.

Probable India XI

• Shubman Gill (c) – captain in red-hot form with ~430 runs in prior Tests
   
• KL Rahul – technically solid right-hander
   
• Yashasvi Jaiswal – impressive opener alongside Gill
   
• (Possibly Joe Root) – placeholder for middle-order; check pillar article
   
• Rishabh Pant (wk) – wicketkeeper with counter-attacking flair
   
• Washington Sundar – all-rounder adds balance
   
• Ravindra Jadeja – senior spinning all-rounder
   
• Jasprit Bumrah – returning spearhead; expected to lead the pace brigade
   
• Akash Deep – pace bowler in the mix
   
• Mohammed Siraj – experienced seam bowler
   
• Prasidh Krishna – additional seam support
   

Note: India will miss Kuldeep Yadav, opting for pace/spin balance with Sundar and Jadeja. Bumrah’s return strengthens their attack significantly .

Day 1 Pitch Report: A Bowler’s Paradise?

Green tinge & lush grass cover
Initial pitch images reveal a pronounced green tinge—suggesting assistance for seamers early on.

Lord’s slope
The famous slope—from Pavilion to Nursery end—favours seam movement and challenges batters, especially against the swing bowlers.

Seam and bounce expected early
Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak warned of reduced scoring rates due to lateral movement, advising patience over aggression.

England requesting a lively pitch
After the centrifugal batting track at Edgbaston, England coach Brendon McCullum officially sought a more traditional Lord’s surface to suit pace bowling.

Tactical Implications

1. Tactical toss decisions

Captains are expected to bowl first to exploit morning movement and avoid slope later in the day.

1. Bowler battle advantage

England's recall of Archer and Atkinson strengthens their pace attack. India’s Bumrah levels the playing field, ensuring both sets of quicks will be crucial on Day 1.

1. Batting blueprint

Teams must adopt grind-over-glory: occupy crease, defend judiciously, and wait for the pitch to flatten before accelerating.

1. Middle-order importance

Middle-order stability (like Root, Brook, Pant, Rahul) will prove pivotal in knee-jerk scenarios after early wickets.

Conclusion

The stage is set for an enthralling Day 1 at Lord’s—with seamers likely dictating the early narrative. England’s reinforcement with pace, India’s bowling balance, and a green, slope-affected wicket suggest a battle of attrition over fireworks.