IND vs ENG Live: Eye on Pant's fitness as India eye early wickets at Lord's; Root nears ton

Attacking: 29.4%

Rotating: 30.6%

Defending: 27.8%

No shot: 12.2%

Rishabh Pant was seen wearing his batting gloves and testing his fitness roughly an hour before the start of Day 2 of the third Test between England and India at Lord’s. The India wicketkeeper-batter had injured his left index finger on the opening day of the match, with the series level at 1-1.

Ahead of play, Pant faced a few throwdowns from batting coach Sitanshu Kotak. However, signs of discomfort were evident. He glanced repeatedly at his injured left hand, shook it several times, and appeared to lack control — a worrying sight for the Indian camp.

Given his unease, Dhruv Jurel is likely to continue as the designated wicketkeeper on Day 2, with England resuming at 251/4 and Joe Root unbeaten on 99 alongside Ben Stokes (39*). While Pant went through batting drills, Jurel focused on his wicketkeeping preparations.

The injury occurred on Day 1 during the second session. In the 34th over, Pant took a blow to his fingers while attempting to stop a Jasprit Bumrah delivery that veered down the leg side to Ollie Pope. He dived to gather the ball but failed to hold on cleanly, wincing in pain immediately after. Despite receiving on-field treatment and getting his fingers taped, Pant continued briefly before eventually walking off for further medical attention.

The BCCI confirmed the injury later on X (formerly Twitter), posting:
"India vice-captain Rishabh Pant got hit on his left index finger. He is receiving treatment at the moment and under the supervision of the medical team. Dhruv Jurel is currently keeping wickets in Rishabh's absence."

Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir and Sitanshu Kotak were also seen examining Pant’s condition later in the day.

Pant has been in red-hot form on this tour, scoring 342 runs in two Tests at an average of 85.50. He began the series with twin centuries at Headingley and remains a crucial part of India’s batting line-up.

Joe Root - 18th batter overall and sixth for England to remain unbeaten on 99 overnight.

Each of the 17 previous batters reached three figures the following day.

251/4 is the fewest aggregate by England on the first day's play in Bazball era where they were not bowled out.

Their scoring rate of 3.02 is the second lowest for them in a day's play in this period where they batted at least 50 overs, behind 2.69 (145 in 53.5 overs) on Day 3 in Ranchi in 2024.

It's bright and warm in London day!

Yesterday's opening at Lord's was quite unusual, with an unexpected interruption when ladybirds swarmed the field. England's decision to bat first was uncommon during Ben Stokes's leadership. The team maintained a steady pace of three runs per over throughout the day. The slow nature of the pitch significantly influenced their approach, requiring patience rather than aggressive play. Joe Root, arguably England's finest batsman, demonstrated his excellence with a masterful, controlled innings.

The Ruth Strauss Foundation’s annual #RedForRuth campaign returns for its seventh edition on Friday — Day 2 of the third Test between England and India at Lord’s. The initiative invites players, staff, broadcasters, and fans to wear red in support of families facing the loss of a parent due to terminal illness.

Launched in memory of Ruth Strauss, the late wife of former England captain Sir Andrew Strauss, the campaign has become a staple of the cricketing calendar. Lord’s will once again transform into a striking sea of red as thousands unite in a powerful act of solidarity.

Spectators attending Friday’s play have been encouraged to wear red and arrive early to take part in a special opening ceremony before the first ball is bowled. Volunteers at the ground will be distributing Ruth Roses and selling #RedForRuth bucket hats in exchange for donations.

Over the past six years, the Foundation has made a significant impact — supporting over 3,500 family members through bereavement and training more than 1,000 cancer care professionals to provide grief support.

All funds raised on the day will directly contribute to the Foundation’s mission of helping families navigate some of life’s most difficult moments.

On the cricket front, England will resume from their overnight score of 251/4, with Joe Root unbeaten on 99 and just one run away from a record-extending 37th Test hundred. He will be joined by captain Ben Stokes, who has been declared fit to continue despite groin discomfort late on Day 1.

TOI Sports reporter Sahil Malhotra from LONDON:

The word on Rishabh Pant and wicketkeeping is expected around the start of day's play. Will put the big gloves on only if comfortable.

sustained injuries that could affect their teams’ plans moving forward. At stumps, England were well-placed at 251/4, with Joe Root unbeaten on 99 and Stokes on 39*, but both sides were left with fitness concerns.

Stokes appeared to be hampered by a groin issue while batting. He required medical attention on the field and was visibly struggling with his running between the wickets during a vital unbroken stand with Root.

England, however, are hopeful their captain will recover swiftly. Teammate Ollie Pope expressed cautious optimism when asked about Stokes after the day’s play.

"Fingers crossed he can do something magic and come back strong," Pope said. "I've not seen him since, so fingers crossed there's nothing too serious. But clearly we've got a big Test over the next four days and we've got a big two (at Old Trafford and The Oval) coming up as well, so it is important to try and manage him."

India, meanwhile, were dealt a blow when Rishabh Pant suffered a finger injury while attempting to stop a delivery from Jasprit Bumrah that veered down the leg side. Although the injury initially appeared minor, Pant left the field shortly after receiving medical treatment. Dhruv Jurel took over wicketkeeping duties for the rest of the day.

The BCCI confirmed the injury via social media but did not elaborate on its severity. Their post on X read:

"Update: #TeamIndia vice-captain Rishabh Pant got hit on his left index finger. He is receiving treatment at the moment and under the supervision of the medical team. Dhruv Jurel is currently keeping wickets in Rishabh's absence."

Asked about Pant’s condition in the post-day press conference, Indian all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy said the team would likely know more by the next morning.

"To be honest I just came off the field and I don't know anything about it," Reddy said. "I haven't heard anything, but we will hear more tomorrow morning before we go back."

The potential unavailability of two key players — Stokes, a proven match-winner, and Pant, India’s second-highest run-scorer in the series with 342 runs at an average of 85.50 — could significantly influence the outcome of this crucial Test. Pant has already struck two centuries in the series, including twin tons at Leeds, and continues to rewrite records for Indian wicketkeeper-batters.

Despite the setbacks, England ended the day in a strong position thanks to a patient and effective partnership between Root and Stokes. Their stand steadied the innings after India’s bowlers, led by Nitish Kumar Reddy, had made early inroads.

As the match continues at Lord’s — with pivotal Tests at Old Trafford and The Oval still to come — both teams will be anxiously awaiting medical updates on their star players.

Joe Root has etched his name into Lord’s history books by becoming the highest run-scorer at the iconic venue across all formats. With 2526 runs in 33 matches, he surpassed the long-standing record of 2513 runs set by England great Graham Gooch.

During the ongoing Test against India, Root also became the first player to score 3000 Test runs against the Indian team. His latest innings brought up his 103rd fifty-plus score in Test cricket, a remarkable feat that includes 36 centuries and 67 fifties.

Root’s tally of 103 fifty-plus scores places him joint second on the all-time list alongside Jacques Kallis and Ricky Ponting. Only Sachin Tendulkar stands ahead with 119.

With 3054 runs in 33 Tests against India — including 10 centuries — the former England captain joins an elite group of batters to have scored over 3000 runs in a non-Ashes rivalry. The only others to achieve this are Sir Gary Sobers and Tendulkar.

Root is also closing in on another major milestone. Should he convert his current innings into a century, it would be his 37th in Test cricket, taking him past Steve Smith and Rahul Dravid to fifth on the all-time list. It would also mark his 55th international hundred, equalling South African great Hashim Amla.

Following the conclusion of the opening day of the third Test between India and England at Lord’s, Indian all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy provided an update on Rishabh Pant’s injury, stating that the team would learn more about the severity of the wicketkeeper-batter’s finger injury by the next morning.

Pant had to leave the field after seemingly injuring his finger while keeping wickets. Dhruv Jurel took over the wicketkeeping duties in his absence. The injury appeared to occur in the 34th over bowled by Jasprit Bumrah, when Pant dived to collect the ball but failed to hold on cleanly, allowing England to collect two runs as byes. Pant was visibly in pain afterward and walked off the field for medical treatment.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) later confirmed via a post on X that Pant had been struck on his left index finger.

"He is receiving treatment at the moment and under the supervision of the medical team. Dhruv Jurel is currently keeping wickets in Rishabh's absence," the BCCI stated on X.

Addressing Pant’s injury in the post-day press conference, Nitish said, "To be honest, I just came out of the field and I do not know anything about it, but since I did not hear anything from anyone, we will get to know tomorrow morning before we go back."

If Pant’s injury turns out to be serious, it could be a significant setback for India. He has been one of the team’s top performers in the ongoing series, currently the second-highest run-scorer with 342 runs in four innings at an impressive average of 85.50, including two centuries and a fifty. Pant struck twin hundreds at Leeds, with a top score of 134. Over time, he has broken multiple records as a wicketkeeper-batter, surpassing MS Dhoni for most Test centuries by an Indian keeper and becoming the highest run-getter among Asian wicketkeepers in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) countries.

Jurel, who replaced Pant behind the stumps, has played four Tests so far, scoring 202 runs in six innings at an average of 40.40. His best score is 90 — his lone half-century — which came against England during his debut series last year. Though he is yet to play a match on this tour, he has delivered consistent performances for India A across home and overseas conditions, including in Australia and the UK.

At stumps on Day 1, England were 251/4 with Joe Root unbeaten on 99 and captain Ben Stokes on 39*. After a fairly even opening session — during which Nitish Kumar Reddy claimed two early wickets — England gradually gained control across the next two sessions with a more orthodox, methodical approach, in contrast to their usual ‘Bazball’ aggression. Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah picked up a wicket each during the day, but England's steady partnerships ensured they ended the day strongly.

Former India captain Anil Kumble has heaped praise on emerging all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, calling him a bright prospect for the national side. Kumble highlighted Reddy’s batting credentials, sharp fielding, and disciplined bowling as assets India should invest in.

“Reddy is young, he’s already got a hundred with the bat, he’s a sharp fielder, and he bowled nearly 14 overs in a spell today — that speaks to his fitness and control,” Kumble said. “He may not have taken a lot of wickets in Australia, but he contributed with the bat and held up one end with the ball. That’s what you want from someone like him — to break partnerships and give your main pacers some breathing space. India should stick with him and resist the urge to chop and change.”

Reddy impressed early on Day 1 of the third Test at Lord’s, jolting England with two quick wickets in the opening session. His double strike reduced the hosts to 44/2 before Joe Root staged a recovery. The 22-year-old ended with figures of 2/46 from 14 overs.

Despite England dominating the remainder of the day with a more traditional, measured approach rather than their usual Bazball aggression, Reddy’s early spell gave India the early edge. At stumps, England were 251/4, with Joe Root unbeaten on 99 and captain Ben Stokes on 39*.

Kumble, while assessing the day's play, acknowledged England's recovery but also credited Indian bowlers for their consistent effort.

“It was always going to be a grind for batters on this surface. The openers struggled to score against the new ball, and India’s bowlers maintained good lines and lengths throughout — that’s a big reason why England are only four wickets down despite having over 250 on the board,” he noted.

Kumble, however, was puzzled by one tactical move from India after tea.

“After Jadeja got the breakthrough with Pope’s wicket, I was surprised he didn’t continue bowling to Stokes and instead switched ends. That’s something India might reflect on tonight. One or two more wickets there, and this game could’ve tilted in their favour.”

England, after a balanced first session, took control through patient partnerships — Root combining first with Ollie Pope (44) for 109 runs, and then with Stokes for an unbeaten 79-run stand to end the day.

As it stands, the match is finely balanced, with Root on the brink of what would be his 37th Test century and a record-extending eighth at Lord’s.

Hello and welcome to the Live coverage of Day 2 of the third Test match between India and England at Lord's.

Joe Root stood firm with an unbeaten 99 to halt India’s momentum on Day 1 of the third Test at Lord’s, guiding England to 251/4 by stumps. Root came to the crease with England in trouble at 44/2 after a fiery first spell from Nitish Kumar Reddy rocked the hosts.

Making just his second Test appearance, Reddy made an immediate impact by removing both openers — Ben Duckett (23) and Zak Crawley (18) — in a dramatic first over, finishing the day with impressive figures of 2/46 from 14 overs.

But Root, playing his 156th Test, once again came to England’s rescue. The 34-year-old former skipper first steadied the innings with Ollie Pope, putting on a hard-fought 109-run partnership over 35 overs. Pope, who narrowly escaped a golden duck, battled to 44 before falling to Ravindra Jadeja on the first ball after tea — a sharp catch taken by substitute keeper Dhruv Jurel, on for the injured Rishabh Pant.

Root then combined with current captain Ben Stokes (39*), forging an unbroken 79-run stand for the fifth wicket. Stokes, who won the toss under bright sunshine at Lord’s, looked solid despite a groin strain late in the day and a close lbw review that went India’s way on umpire’s call.

Before the match, most talk centered around the return of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, rested for India’s thumping 336-run win at Edgbaston. While Bumrah bowled tightly for figures of 1/35 in 18 overs — including the dismissal of Harry Brook (11) through the gate — it was Reddy who stole the spotlight early on.

Reddy’s third ball saw Duckett glove a pull down the leg side, brilliantly caught by Pant. Crawley followed three balls later, edging a late-swinging delivery to the keeper. Pope had a nervy stay, surviving chances off both Bumrah and Reddy before eventually falling to Jadeja.

Root, however, remained unflappable. He brought up his fifty with a fine glance off Reddy — his seventh boundary in a 102-ball effort. As the day wore on, he looked increasingly in control, dispatching a classic on-drive to move into the 80s.

Play was briefly disrupted by a swarm of flying ants, and Root was denied the strike in the final over, unable to reach what would have been his 37th Test hundred and a record eighth at Lord’s.