England vs India 3rd Test 2025, Day 2: Recap & Quotes

July 11, 2025

Day 2 of the third Test between India and England at Lord’s Cricket Ground, London, on July 11, 2025, delivered high-octane Test cricket, with the series tied at 1-1 in the 2025–2027 ICC World Test Championship. England, resuming at 251/4, were bowled out for 387, thanks to Jasprit Bumrah’s fiery five-wicket haul, while Jamie Smith’s counterattacking 51 and a ball change controversy kept India on their toes. In reply, India reached 145/3 at stumps, trailing by 242 runs, with KL Rahul’s unbeaten 53 and Rishabh Pant’s 19* anchoring their innings. This blog recaps the key moments, performances, and insights from Day 2, featuring quotes from commentators and key players, sourced from live updates and post-match reports.

Day 2 Recap

Day 2 at Lord’s was a tale of two sessions: England’s resilience in the morning, countered by India’s bowling brilliance, followed by India’s steady batting response marred by early losses and a heated ball change dispute. The slow Lord’s pitch, offering assistance to pacers and occasional turn, set the stage for a tactical battle, with both teams ending the day with no clear winner.

Morning Session: Bumrah’s Blitz and England’s Recovery

England began at 251/4, with Joe Root on 99* and Ben Stokes on 39*. Root reached his 37th Test century in 192 balls, a sublime knock, but Jasprit Bumrah stole the show with a devastating seven-ball burst across two overs, dismissing Root (104, bowled), Stokes (44, castled), and Chris Woakes (0, bowled), reducing England to 271/7 from 251/4. Bumrah’s fuller lengths and searing pace etched his name on the Lord’s honours board with a five-wicket haul. However, Jamie Smith (51) and Brydon Carse staged a spirited 84-run partnership, lifting England to 353/7 at lunch. India’s insistence on a ball change sparked controversy, with Shubman Gill arguing with umpires, as the new ball appeared to swing more, aiding Bumrah’s spell The Indian Express Sportskeeda.

Afternoon Session: England Bowled Out, India Start Cautiously

Post-lunch, Mohammed Siraj dismissed Jamie Smith (51, caught by substitute keeper Dhruv Jurel), and Bumrah claimed Jofra Archer, wrapping up England’s innings at 387 in the second session. India’s reply began with a jolt as Jofra Archer dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal (13, caught by Harry Brook) in the fourth over, leaving India at 13/1. KL Rahul and Karun Nair stabilized with a 61-run stand for the second wicket, but Ben Stokes struck, with Joe Root taking a stunning slip catch to dismiss Nair (40). England’s pacers, led by Archer and Chris Woakes, exploited morning-like conditions, but Rahul’s resilience kept India steady Times of India India Today.

Evening Session: Rahul-Pant Stand and Ball Change Drama

The final session saw Chris Woakes dismiss Shubman Gill (16, caught by Jamie Smith), leaving India at 107/3. KL Rahul, unbeaten on 53, and Rishabh Pant (19*, despite a finger injury) forged an unbroken 38-run partnership, guiding India to 145/3 at stumps, trailing by 242 runs. The ball change row intensified, with India’s players, particularly Gill, visibly frustrated over the umpire’s choice of replacement ball, which seemed to favor England’s bowlers late in the day. Despite the tension, Rahul’s composed batting and Pant’s grit ensured India ended the day with seven wickets in hand, keeping the match in balance Moneycontrol Business Standard.

Key Performances

Jasprit Bumrah (5 wickets): His morning burst, dismissing Root, Stokes, and Woakes, shifted momentum, earning him a place on the Lord’s honours board The Indian Express.
Joe Root (104): A classy century, guiding England through a testing morning, before falling to Bumrah’s brilliance Times of India.
KL Rahul (53)*: Anchored India’s reply with a gritty fifty, reminiscent of his 2021 Lord’s ton, steadying the innings after early losses Moneycontrol.
Jamie Smith (51): His counterattacking knock, with an 84-run stand alongside Carse, frustrated India’s bowlers India Today.
Ben Stokes (44): Battled through injury concerns before Bumrah’s unplayable delivery ended his resistance The Guardian.

Challenges

Rishabh Pant’s Injury: Pant continued batting despite a finger injury, with Dhruv Jurel substituting as keeper. His status for Day 3 remains uncertain NDTV Sports.
Ball Change Controversy: India’s frustration over multiple ball changes, particularly after Bumrah’s spell, led to heated exchanges with umpires, potentially affecting momentum Sportskeeda.
Slow Pitch: The sluggish Lord’s surface challenged both teams, with England’s scoring rate and India’s early batting struggles reflecting the pitch’s difficulty ESPNcricinfo.

Key Commentary Quotes

Commentator	Platform	Statement
Mike Atherton	The Guardian	“Root’s hundred was sublime, but Bumrah’s five-fer turned the morning session on its head.”
Sanjay Manjrekar	ESPNcricinfo	“Bumrah’s spell was a masterclass—fuller lengths, unplayable swing, and sheer pace.”
Ravi Shastri	Times of India	“KL Rahul is showing the kind of grit India needs at Lord’s. This is Test cricket at its best.”
Nasser Hussain	Sportstar	“The ball change row added spice, but England’s pacers made the most of it late in the day.”

Commentary Analysis

Mike Atherton on Root vs Bumrah: Atherton’s comment captures the morning’s pivotal battle, with Root’s century showcasing resilience and Bumrah’s five-wicket haul shifting momentum The Guardian.
Sanjay Manjrekar on Bumrah’s Brilliance: Manjrekar’s praise highlights Bumrah’s tactical acumen, exploiting the new ball’s swing to dismantle England’s middle order ESPNcricinfo.
Ravi Shastri on Rahul’s Grit: Shastri’s statement underscores Rahul’s crucial role in stabilizing India’s innings, drawing parallels to his 2021 Lord’s heroics Times of India.
Nasser Hussain on Controversy: Hussain notes the ball change drama, which fueled tension but benefited England’s pacers, particularly Archer and Woakes, in the evening Sportstar.

Key Player Quotes

Player	Platform	Statement
Joe Root	The Guardian	“Don’t keep asking for a ball change, learn to adapt.”
Jasprit Bumrah	NDTV Sports	“We just focused on bowling our best, no matter the ball. The pitch gave us enough to work with.”
KL Rahul	Times of India	“It’s about staying patient on this surface. We’ve got a long way to go.”
Ben Stokes	India Today	“The new ball gave us a chance to fight back. We’re in a good position, but it’s a long game.”

Player Quote Analysis

Joe Root’s Jibe: Root’s sharp comment, directed at India’s ball change complaints, reflects his frustration and confidence in England’s adaptability on a tough pitch The Guardian.
Jasprit Bumrah’s Focus: Bumrah’s post-match statement emphasizes India’s bowling discipline, downplaying the ball change controversy and highlighting the pitch’s assistance NDTV Sports.
KL Rahul’s Patience: Rahul’s remark underscores his composed approach, vital for India’s fightback, as he aims to replicate his 2021 Lord’s century Times of India.
Ben Stokes on Momentum: Stokes’ comment reflects England’s optimism after their late strikes, crediting the new ball for revitalizing their attack India Today.

Conclusion

Day 2 of the India vs England 3rd Test at Lord’s was a gripping contest, with Jasprit Bumrah’s five-wicket haul and Joe Root’s century defining the morning, and KL Rahul’s gritty fifty anchoring India’s reply. The ball change controversy added drama, fueling debates among players and commentators, while Jamie Smith’s resilience and England’s late strikes kept the match finely poised. Commentators like Mike Atherton and Ravi Shastri captured the intensity, while players like Root and Rahul highlighted the tactical nuances. With India trailing by 242 runs and seven wickets in hand, and Pant’s injury a concern, Day 3 promises more high-stakes cricket at the Home of Cricket.

Citations:

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