Root’s Century and Bumrah’s Fire: England Edge Ahead on Day 2 of 3rd Test Thriller at Lord’s
London/Patiala, 12 July (Sports Desk)
On July 10, 2025, the second day of the third Test match between India and England at Lord’s, London, was a gripping contest that saw England post 387 in their first innings, driven by Joe Root’s 104, before India faltered at 145/3, trailing by 242 runs at stumps. Jasprit Bumrah’s sensational 5/74 and Jofra Archer’s fiery return headlined a day of disciplined bowling, dropped catches, and intense battles. Below is a comprehensive account of Day 2, capturing every key moment, performance, and strategic nuance of the India vs. England 3rd Test.
Match Context
The five-match Test series, part of the 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship, was level at 1-1 after India’s 336-run victory in the second Test at Edgbaston. The third Test at Lord’s, a venue where India have won only three of 19 matches, promised a pivotal clash. England, led by Ben Stokes, opted to bat first after winning their third consecutive toss, while India, under Shubman Gill, welcomed back Jasprit Bumrah, replacing Prasidh Krishna, to bolster their pace attack. The Lord’s pitch, described as slow but with some lateral movement, offered opportunities for disciplined bowlers, setting the stage for a closely fought day.
England’s First Innings: Root’s Mastery and Lower-Order Grit
England began Day 2 at 251/4 after 83 overs, with Joe Root unbeaten on 99 and Ben Stokes at the crease. Root, resuming a run short of his 37th Test century, reached the milestone early with a boundary off the first ball, cutting through deep third to become the first cricketer to score 3,000 Test runs against India. His 104 (off approximately 180 balls, 10 fours) was a masterclass in patience, with only one aggressive shot—a slog-sweep off Ravindra Jadeja—before he fell to Bumrah, who nipped one back to hit the off-stump.
Harry Brook, resuming on Day 2, contributed a fluent 88, forming a 303-run partnership with Jamie Smith from Day 1, though Smith fell for 51 (52 balls) to Akash Deep, caught by Washington Sundar at deep-backward square after a dropped catch by KL Rahul on 5. Brydon Carse played a vital supporting role, scoring a maiden Test half-century (56 off 70 balls), hitting Akash Deep through the covers and slashing Bumrah past point. England’s last three wickets added 116 runs, with Chris Woakes (7) and others falling to Bumrah’s relentless accuracy. England were bowled out for 387 in 112.3 overs, a strong total on a sluggish Lord’s surface.
Jasprit Bumrah was the standout bowler, claiming his 15th five-wicket haul (5/74), earning a place on the Lord’s honours board. His spell included the dismissals of Brook, Woakes, and the tail, showcasing his ability to exploit seam movement. Nitish Kumar Reddy struck twice in an over on Day 1, removing Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley, while Ravindra Jadeja took one wicket. Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj went wicketless but maintained pressure, though India were frustrated by a second new ball that lost shape after 10.3 overs, leading to a heated discussion between Gill and the umpires.
watch….ICC Hall of Fame Inducts Seven New Legends
India’s First Innings: Rahul’s Fight Amid Early Wobble
India’s reply began in the final session, with 29 overs bowled before stumps. The innings started poorly as Jofra Archer, returning to Test cricket after over four years, struck with his third ball, dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal (4 off 6) with an 89mph delivery that took the edge to the slips. KL Rahul, unbeaten on 53 (off approximately 80 balls, 8 fours), anchored the innings, reaching his half-century and showing resilience against a probing England attack. He was joined by Rishabh Pant (19* off 25 balls), who replaced Karun Nair after the latter’s dismissal, forming a 38-run partnership by stumps.
India lost three wickets, with Shubman Gill (16 off 44) falling to Chris Woakes, who bowled with the keeper up to the stumps, inducing an edge to Jamie Smith. The second wicket was likely Karun Nair, though specific details of his dismissal were not available. England’s bowlers, led by Archer and Woakes, exploited the new ball, with Brydon Carse and Shoaib Bashir also bowling tight lines. India reached 145/3, trailing by 242 runs, with Rahul and Pant tasked with a massive recovery on Day 3.
Key Moments of Day 2
- Joe Root’s Historic Ton: Root’s 104, completed early on Day 2, saw him surpass Rahul Dravid’s 210 Test catches with his 211th, a diving effort late in the day, and cross 3,000 Test runs against India.
- Bumrah’s Five-For: Jasprit Bumrah’s 5/74, including Brook’s wicket, marked his maiden five-wicket haul at Lord’s, cementing his legacy as a premier fast bowler.
- Archer’s Explosive Return: Jofra Archer’s first Test wicket in over four years, dismissing Jaiswal with a fiery 89mph ball, set the tone for England’s bowling.
- Dropped Catch Costs India: KL Rahul’s drop of Jamie Smith on 5 allowed England to add crucial runs, with Smith reaching 51 before falling.
- Ball Controversy: India’s frustration with a replacement ball, changed after 10.3 overs due to loss of shape, led to a prolonged discussion between Gill and umpires Paul Reiffel and Sharfuddoula.
- Pant’s Injury Scare: Rishabh Pant suffered a finger injury while keeping, leaving the field for the last 49 overs, with Dhruv Jurel substituting as wicketkeeper.
- Rahul’s Defiance: KL Rahul’s unbeaten 53, including a half-century, kept India in the fight despite early losses.
Player Performances
- Joe Root (England): 104 (180 balls, 10 fours), a disciplined century that anchored England’s innings and marked a historic milestone.
- Harry Brook (England): 88 (part of a 303-run stand with Smith), a fluent knock that pressured India’s bowlers.
- Jamie Smith (England): 51 (52 balls), capitalized on Rahul’s drop to lead a lower-order recovery.
- Brydon Carse (England): 56 (70 balls), a maiden Test fifty that bolstered England’s total
- Jasprit Bumrah (India): 5/74, a match-defining spell that included Brook, Woakes, and the tail, earning him a Lord’s honours board spot.
- KL Rahul (India): 53* (80 balls, 8 fours), a gritty half-century to keep India’s hopes alive.
- Rishabh Pant (India): 19* (25 balls), joined Rahul to stabilize the innings after Gill’s dismissal.
- Jofra Archer (England): 1 wicket (Jaiswal), a sensational return to Test cricket with immediate impact.
- Chris Woakes (England): 1 wicket (Gill), dismissed India’s captain with clever bowling.
- Nitish Kumar Reddy (India): 2 wickets (Duckett and Crawley on Day 1), a breakthrough performance on a slow pitch.
Strategic Highlights
England’s approach was to grind out runs on a slow Lord’s pitch, moving away from their aggressive “Bazball” style to a more pragmatic 3.02 runs per over, as Root and Stokes focused on survival. India’s bowlers, led by Bumrah, targeted the stumps with disciplined seam bowling, with Reddy’s double strike on Day 1 and Bumrah’s five-for keeping England in check. However, India’s frustration with the replacement ball disrupted their focus, and the dropped catch of Smith proved costly. India’s batting strategy relied on Rahul’s experience to counter England’s new-ball threat, but early losses, including Gill’s, put them under pressure. England’s decision to bat first, despite Stokes’ earlier preference for bowling, paid off, though India’s bowlers ensured the total remained below 400.
watch….Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s Record-Breaking Century Seals Series for India
Pitch and Conditions
The Lord’s pitch was slower than expected, with a covering of live grass offering some lateral movement but favoring batsmen who survived the new ball. Bumrah’s success highlighted the importance of fuller lengths and seam movement, while England’s bowlers, particularly Archer, exploited early conditions. The weather was clear and dry, allowing a full day’s play, though a forecast for light rain on later days could influence the match.
Statistical Milestones
- Joe Root: Became the first cricketer to score 3,000 Test runs against India and broke Rahul Dravid’s record for most Test catches (211).
- Jasprit Bumrah: Equalled Kapil Dev’s tally for away five-wicket hauls by an Indian bowler and secured his 15th Test five-for.
- Rishabh Pant: Became the leading Asian wicketkeeper in SENA countries for Test runs and centuries, surpassing MS Dhoni.
- KL Rahul: Matched the second-most fifty-plus scores by an Indian opener in SENA Tests.
Looking Ahead
At stumps on Day 2, India trailed by 242 runs with seven wickets in hand, relying heavily on Rahul and Pant to close the gap. England, with Archer and Woakes leading a potent attack, will aim to exploit morning conditions on Day 3 to further dent India’s batting. The slow pitch suggests a draw is possible, but England’s first-innings lead and India’s early losses give the hosts a slight edge. Pant’s finger injury, with Dhruv Jurel substituting, adds uncertainty to India’s wicketkeeping plans. The series, tied at 1-1, hangs in the balance, with the outcome of this Test potentially shaping the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
Scorecard Summary
- England 1st Innings: 387 all out (112.3 overs)
- Joe Root: 104
- Harry Brook: 88
- Brydon Carse: 56
- Jamie Smith: 51
- Jasprit Bumrah: 5/74
- Nitish Kumar Reddy: 2 wickets
- Ravindra Jadeja: 1 wicket
- India 1st Innings: 145/3 (29 overs)
- KL Rahul: 53*
- Rishabh Pant: 19*
- Shubman Gill: 16
- Yashasvi Jaiswal: 13
- Jofra Archer: 1 wicket
- Chris Woakes: 1 wicket
- India trail by: 242 runs
This Day 2 at Lord’s was a tale of Root’s brilliance, Bumrah’s magic, and India’s fightback led by Rahul, setting up a thrilling contest for the remaining days. With both teams showcasing resilience and skill, the third Test remains finely poised.
