England Hold Early Advantage as India Rebuilds at Lord’s—3rd Test Analysis

Root’s century led the way as England scored 387, giving them a slight advantage. With Rahul and Pant at the top, India ended Day 2 at 145/3. Depending on early wickets or partnerships, the third day could see a significant change in pace.

Day 2 Summary (Stumps)

The second day of the third Test at Lord’s featured excellent Test cricket, with Joe Root scoring a magnificent century, Jasprit Bumrah taking a spectacular five wickets, and KL Rahul leading India’s response with an undefeated fifty. India was 145 for 3 at stumps, with Rahul (53) and Rishabh Pant (19) at the crease, 242 runs behind England.

Despite Root’s skill—he scored 104 off 199 balls for his 37th Test century—England fell apart under Bumrah’s cutting spell when they resumed on 251/4. England reached a competitive 387 thanks to a resolute eighth-wicket partnership of 84 runs from Brydon Carse (56) and Jamie Smith (51), and Bumrah (5/74), who tore through the lower order to record his second straight five-for and 15th overall.

Jofra Archer, making his Test comeback after four years, took out Yashasvi Jaiswal (13) in his opening over, shocking India’s reaction early. After edging Woakes to keeper Jamie Smith, who stood up to the stumps, captain Shubman Gill (16), who was attempting to surpass Rahul Dravid’s record for the most runs by an Indian in a Test series in England, was unsuccessful.

Despite appearing promising, Karun Nair (40) lost to a spectacular low catch by Root at slip, which became his 211th Test catch and beat Dravid’s record.

But Rahul remained strong with a cool half-century off 113 balls, and he and Pant made sure India finished the day unscathed.

The third Test is evenly matched going into Day 3 with the series knotted at one.

---

3rd Test at Lord’s – Match Summary (End of Day 2—Stumps)

Team	Innings	Score	Overs	Top Performers (Batting)	Bowling (Active)
England	1st	387 all out	112.3 overs	Joe Root – 104 (Tons), Carse – 56	Jasprit Bumrah – 5/74
India	1st	145/3	43.0 overs	KL Rahul – 53* (113), Pant – 19* (33)	Shoaib Bashir – 6-1-22-0

Other Match Info

Batsmen at Crease	Runs (Balls)	Fours	Sixes
KL Rahul	53* (113)	5	0
Rishabh Pant (wk)	19* (33)	3	0

Bowler (Current)	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Shoaib Bashir	6	1	22	0

---

Key Performances and Pitch Conditions

Severe bounce and support to seamers have been in evidence in the Lord pitch-and-condition, and Archer and Bumrah are only two highlights one can mention.

Controversial delays (ball changes, injuries) at a moderate level had an effect on the play rate. On Day 3, the captains and the umpires will want to decide that one

The settled half-century by KL Rahul is a very important launching pad for India—it will be crucial to form a strong partnership with Pant.

---

Day 3 Outlook & Predictions

The importance of early wickets: England will use Archer and Woakes to target the first overs to ensure they do not ignore or disrupt the Rahul-Pant opening.

Indian ambition: Go somewhere in transforming the stand into a 70-80 partnership. These factors, aggression by Pant, and experience of Rahul can turn the game in a large part.

---

Middle Session Situation:

In case India goes first, such bowlers as Jadeja and Siraj might have the chance to use the turn and bounce in the pitch.

Provided that England strikes early, they would be able to bowl out India in ~220-260 and gain an innings lead.

Weather & overs: Presumably there will be ~95 overs available to bowl today, and both sides will have to work hard to generate a winning momentum.

---

Lookout Players:

Rahul and Pant: Will they make a match-winning partnership?

Bumrah: Can he maintain the same kind of form on the second new ball?

Archer: England might consider crushing the middle order should he strike a few early on.

---

Prediction

• India to end Day 3 on 260290 and be about 2050 ahead.
• England to pick 45 wickets comprising one or both set bats Indians (Rahul, Pant).
• A swing day, but basically India has a marginal lead unless they collapse early; England can have their way should they deliver with the first attack.

---

Courtesy: https://www.espncricinfo.com/, https://www.firstpost.com/firstcricket/, https://m.cricbuzz.com/, https://www.skysports.com/

---

India fights back with Rahul and Pant steady at the crease, but England’s bowlers are circling. Day 3 at Lord’s could shift the series.