ENG vs IND 3rd Test Preview – Playing XI, Pitch Report & Weather Forecast

With the third Test of the India tour of England set for 10–14 July 2025 at Lord’s, here’s a comprehensive preview, covering playing squads, pitch conditions, weather outlook, and tactical matchups to anticipate.

Probable Playing XIs

England XI

1. Zak Crawley
    
2. Zak Lee-Green
    
3. Ollie Pope
    
4. Joe Root (c)
    
5. Harry Brook
    
6. Ben Stokes (wk-c)
    
7. Shoaib Bashir (spinner)
    
8. Mark Wood
    
9. Chris Woakes
    
10. Brydon Carse
     
11. Josh Tongue
     

Ben Stokes leads England’s aggressive "Bazball" side and will keep to maximize flexibility. Shoiab Bashir impressed with his newly-deployed carrom ball at Edgbaston, reflecting England's innovative spin tactics.

Seam options include the experienced Woakes, pace spearhead Wood, with Carse and Tongue managing workloads.
 

India XI

1. Yashasvi Jaiswal
    
2. Shubman Gill (c)
    
3. KS Bharat (wk)
    
4. Shreyas Iyer
    
5. Rajat Patidar
    
6. Ravindra Jadeja
    
7. Axar Patel
    
8. Kuldeep Yadav (spinner)
    
9. Ravi Bishnoi (spinner)
    
10. Mohammed Siraj (seam)
     
11. Shardul Thakur (seam) or Umesh Yadav
     

Shubman Gill continues to lead and is in excellent form, already toned once in the series. The spin department holds depth with Jadeja, Patel, Kuldeep, and Bishnoi expected to thrive as the pitch matures.

India may adjust its seam line-up depending on Lord’s conditions and stamina concerns.

Lord’s Pitch Report & Conditions

Known as a traditional English surface, Lord’s favors seam and swing bowling early on, especially with the Duke ball and underlying slope.  Seamers are projected to take ~9 wickets in the first innings at Lord’s—historically advantageous for quick bowlers.

As the Test progresses, the pitch is expected to flatten, offering more grip to spinners and enabling a batting comeback. 

Lord’s iconic slope of 2.5m assists seamers differently from each end, affecting bounce and trajectory. England's host strategy may include manipulating boundary lengths to support Bazball tactics.

Weather Forecast & Its Influence

Expect warm, partly cloudy conditions through the week, with highs reaching 84°F (29°C) by the start of the Test . Afternoon and evening sessions may face patchy showers, with slight interruptions on 10 and 11 July .
 

Humidity remains moderate in the mid-teens°C overnight, which might decrease swing and bolster spinners. Up to 10 wet days expected in July—dozens of showers could affect play.
 

Impact

• Bowlers: Early seam movement likely until late morning; spinners may benefit on Days 3–5.
   
• Batsmen: Afternoon humidity could temper swing but early fragility will persist.
   
• Captains may gamble with the toss, especially on sunnier days as England did previously.
   

Tactical & Statistical Insights

• Head-to-head at Lord’s: India has performed well in recent Tests here, with Root’s side vulnerable to spin in the late innings.
   
• India’s batting: Gill’s leadership and big scores underline their plan for long innings.
   
• England’s bowling: Expect reliance on new-ball bowlers; Bashir’s carrom ball could be pivotal mid-game.
   
• India’s spin quartet: Jadeja, Patel, Kuldeep, and Bishnoi present a strong case for exploiting D3–5 conditions.
   

Key Match Predictions

• Toss: England may bowl first when the pitch shows moisture, but sunny days could flip their strategy.
   
• First innings: Seamers may strike early, but expect a 300+ total once spinners come into play.
   
• Mid-match: Spin dominance expected; Bashir vs Jadeja and Kuldeep will define the middle overs.
   
• Overall result: With conditions leaning toward seam and spin balance, either side can dominate. Lions batting depth and bowling adaptation will decide the outcome.
   

Bottom Line

The 3rd Test at Lord’s offers a classic battle of old-school Test cricket—seam swings, spin transitions, slope effects, and sunny English summer weather. England’s seam-pack and spin innovation face off against India’s bat-sitting strength and spin depth, with both teams seeking an edge in the series.

Whether you’re tuning in for the opening spells, spin battles, or strategic captaining, this Lord’s showdown promises drama and high-level Test tactics across five captivating days.