The ongoing Anderson-Gavaskar Trophy between India and England has reached an exciting juncture. The third Test match of this series will be played from July 10, 2025, at the historic Lord's ground.
Sports News: The third match of the five-match Anderson-Gavaskar Trophy 2025 between India and England will be played from July 10 at the historic Lord's Cricket Ground, the temple of cricket. After India's historic 336-run victory at Edgbaston, the series is now tied at 1-1, and this match could play a decisive role for both teams.
Cricket fans and both teams are eagerly anticipating the Lord's pitch, wondering if it will be a battleground for bowlers or a platform for batsmen to score runs? Let's find out what the pitch at Lord's has in store.
Lord's Pitch: Green Appearance, Hidden Challenges
When the first images of the Lord's pitch appeared on social media on July 7, it was clear that a significant amount of grass had been left on the pitch this time. This suggests that the pitch could prove helpful for fast bowlers, especially in the first two days. Along with the grass, moisture was also visible, which could make the first day's play a paradise for fast bowlers. England has already indicated that it wants a pitch that fully supports its pace battery – Anderson, Wood, and Archer.
Bumrah and Archer's Return to Intensify the Battle
A piece of good news for both teams in this match is that their spearhead bowlers are returning. Jasprit Bumrah, who did not play in the Edgbaston Test, will now take to the field after recovering. Meanwhile, Jofra Archer's return could prove to be a significant weapon for England, especially on a pitch like Lord's, where the ball swings and seams. Both have the ability to dismantle batsmen with the new ball. Because of this, top-order batsmen will have to play with great caution.
What Does Lord's History Say?
India has played 19 Test matches at Lord's so far, winning only 3, losing 12, and drawing 4. England, on the other hand, has played 145 Test matches on this ground, winning 59 and losing 35, with the remaining 51 ending in draws. The last time India played a match at Lord's (2021), Team India defeated England by 151 runs. Bumrah and Shami had also performed brilliantly in that match.
Toss and Scoring Mathematics on the Pitch
The record of teams winning the toss at Lord's is a bit intricate:
- Teams batting first have won 37 out of 101 matches.
- Teams bowling first have won 17 out of 47 matches.
- The average score of the first innings – approximately 150 runs.
- Some improvement in the second innings – the score goes up to 220-250.
The third innings is most favorable for batsmen, batting in the fourth innings becomes very difficult – the ball stays low and starts to spin.
