The third Test of the riveting five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series is set to begin on Thursday, July 10, at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground. With the series tied at 1-1 after India’s emphatic 336-run victory at Edgbaston, both teams have everything to play for.
England will bank on home advantage and the return of pace ace Jofra Archer, while India, buoyed by Shubman Gill’s historic batting feats and a dominant bowling display, seek to carry forward their momentum into the "home of cricket."
Archer’s Homecoming: Jofra Returns to Red-Ball Cricket
Jofra Archer will mark his return to Test cricket at Lord’s on July 10, making his first appearance in the format since February 2021. After battling persistent elbow and back injuries, Archer has made his way back through domestic cricket and now returns to the ground where he made his sensational debut in 2019.
England will hope Archer’s pace and aggression can help counter India’s batting dominance—especially Shubman Gill’s red-hot form—similar to how he unsettled Steven Smith on debut.
Brook Reaches the Summit, Gill Rockets Up Rankings
Following his majestic 158 at Edgbaston, Harry Brook has become the world’s top-ranked Test batter, overtaking Joe Root by 18 points. Meanwhile, Shubman Gill's record-breaking 269 and 161 in the same Test have propelled him 15 spots to No. 6, with a career-best 807 rating points. Between them sit Kane Williamson (3), Yashasvi Jaiswal (4), and Steven Smith (5), underscoring the depth of current batting talent.
Stokes: “We’ll Hit Them Hard”
England captain Ben Stokes struck a confident note in his pre-match presser, promising his side will come out firing at Lord’s. “This was always going to be a series where moments ebb and flow,” Stokes said. “We came out on top at Headingley and they came out on top in the last game… We’ll be coming out this week trying to hit them hard and obviously trying to come away with a win.”
Pant’s Praise for Bumrah: “Everything”
India’s vice-captain Rishabh Pant charmed the press when asked what makes Jasprit Bumrah special. “Everything,” he smiled. “How accurate he is, the way his mind works, he’s just an amazing man. It’s more difficult for the wicket-keeper behind the wicket than for a batsman, especially in England with the movement he gets.”
Dasgupta: India Need Consistency, Rest to Maintain Momentum
Former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta underlined consistency and recovery as key to India's chances at Lord’s. “The level of consistency we saw in both, batting and bowling, during the second Test – that needs to be repeated,” he said on JioHotstar.
With only a three-day turnaround between matches, he stressed the need for India’s pacers and Shubman Gill to recover fully. “Recovery is very important — especially for the fast bowlers, and for captain Gill, who has played two very long innings.”
With the series finely balanced and both sides showing flashes of brilliance, the stage is set for another classic at Lord’s. The Test begins Thursday, July 10, with England hoping Archer’s return will fire them ahead, while India look to ride their Edgbaston momentum into a series lead under the in-form Gill’s captaincy.
