England vs India 3rd Test 2025: Playing XI, Schedule, Venue, and Historical Context

England vs India 3rd Test 2025: Playing XI, Schedule, Venue, and Historical Context

The India vs England Test series, part of the 2025–2027 ICC World Test Championship, is poised for an electrifying third Test at Lord’s, London, from July 10–14, 2025, with the series tied at 1-1. Following India’s historic 336-run victory at Edgbaston in the second Test, led by Shubman Gill’s monumental batting and Akash Deep’s 10-wicket haul, both teams are gearing up for a pivotal clash at the Home of Cricket. This blog provides the predicted playing XI for both teams, a summary of the match schedule and venue, and historical facts about India and England’s Test performances at Lord’s, setting the stage for a thrilling encounter.

Predicted Playing XI

India

India, under Shubman Gill’s captaincy, is expected to retain the core of their victorious Edgbaston lineup, with Jasprit Bumrah likely returning to bolster the pace attack. The predicted XI balances experience with youth, leveraging the batting depth and versatile bowling that secured their second Test win. Based on squad updates and X post analyses, here is India’s likely XI:

  • Yashasvi Jaiswal: Explosive opener with 87 in the second Test’s first innings.
  • KL Rahul: Consistent at the top, providing stability.
  • Karun Nair: Back in form with a crucial role in the middle order.
  • Shubman Gill (c): The linchpin with 430 runs in the second Test (269 & 161).
  • Rishabh Pant (vc, wk): Dynamic batsman at No. 5, scoring 65 in the second innings.
  • Ravindra Jadeja: All-rounder whose 89 and 69, plus wickets, were vital at Edgbaston.
  • Washington Sundar: Spin-bowling all-rounder, effective in fielding and bowling.
  • Shardul Thakur: Pace-bowling all-rounder, adding depth.
  • Jasprit Bumrah: Ace pacer returning after workload management.
  • Akash Deep: Star of the second Test with a 10-wicket haul.
  • Mohammed Siraj: Fiery pacer with 6/70 in the first innings at Edgbaston.

Rationale: The XI reflects India’s strategy to maintain their winning combination, with Bumrah replacing Prasidh Krishna, as suggested by X posts [X Post] [X Post]. Nitish Kumar Reddy may be considered, but Sundar and Thakur’s all-round contributions are preferred for balance on a Lord’s pitch that often assists pacers early and spinners later [Indian Express].

England

England, led by Ben Stokes, aims to bounce back after their second Test defeat, with Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson added to the squad for the third Test. Their XI will likely blend aggressive batting with a versatile bowling attack to counter India’s momentum. Based on squad announcements and X posts, here is England’s predicted XI:

  • Ben Duckett: Aggressive opener, key to England’s Bazball approach.
  • Zak Crawley: Consistent run-scorer, aiming to exploit early conditions.
  • Ollie Pope: Vice-captain, reliable at No. 3.
  • Joe Root: England’s batting mainstay, crucial against India’s spinners.
  • Harry Brook: Scored 158 in the second Test’s first innings.
  • Ben Stokes (c): All-rounder whose leadership and grit define England.
  • Jamie Smith: Wicketkeeper-batsman with 184 in the second Test.
  • Chris Woakes: Experienced all-rounder, effective at home.
  • Jofra Archer: Pace spearhead returning for the third Test.
  • Brydon Carse: Impressed with pace in the second Test.
  • Shoaib Bashir: Young spinner to exploit any turn on Days 4–5.

Rationale: England’s XI includes Archer and Atkinson, as confirmed by squad updates [Wikipedia] [X Post]. Josh Tongue may be replaced by Atkinson for extra pace, while Bashir remains the primary spinner, suited to Lord’s later stages [Business Standard].

Schedule and Venue Summary

  • Match: 3rd Test, India vs England
  • Dates: July 10–14, 2025
  • Venue: Lord’s Cricket Ground, London
  • Start Time: 11:00 AM local time (3:30 PM IST)
  • Toss: 3:00 PM IST
  • Broadcast: Live on Sony Sports Network (Sony Sports 1, 3, 4, 5, HD channels) with Hindi and English commentary; streamed on JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar [Times of India] [Rajasthan Royals].
  • Weather and Pitch: Lord’s typically offers pace and bounce early, favoring fast bowlers under cloudy conditions. By Days 4–5, the pitch may assist spinners due to wear, as seen in past Tests. Weather forecasts suggest partly cloudy skies with a low chance of rain, ideal for a full match [Indian Express].

Historical Facts at Lord’s

India at Lord’s

  • First Test: India played their first Test at Lord’s in 1932, losing by 158 runs. This marked their debut in Test cricket [Wikipedia].
  • Record: India have played 19 Tests at Lord’s, winning 3, losing 12, and drawing 4. Their victories came in 1986 (by 5 wickets under Kapil Dev), 2014 (by 95 runs under MS Dhoni), and 2021 (by 151 runs under Virat Kohli) [ESPNcricinfo].
  • Notable Performances: Dilip Vengsarkar scored three centuries at Lord’s (1979, 1982, 1986), a record for an Indian batsman at the venue. In 2014, Ajinkya Rahane’s 103 and Ishant Sharma’s 7/74 were pivotal in India’s win. In 2021, KL Rahul’s 129 and Mohammed Siraj’s 4/94 secured a famous victory.
  • Significance: Lord’s is a challenging venue for India, but their recent successes (2014, 2021) show their growing prowess in English conditions, making the 2025 Test a chance to build on this legacy.

England at Lord’s

  • First Test: England played their first Test at Lord’s in 1884, establishing it as the Home of Cricket.
  • Record: England have played 146 Tests at Lord’s, winning 58, losing 33, and drawing 55. Against India, they hold a 12-3 win-loss record at the venue [ESPNcricinfo].
  • Notable Performances: Graham Gooch’s 333 against India in 1990 remains the highest individual score at Lord’s. Joe Root has been a standout, scoring multiple centuries, including 200* against India in 2021. James Anderson’s swing bowling has often been lethal, with 6/46 against India in 2018.
  • Significance: Lord’s is England’s fortress, where their pacers thrive under cloudy skies. The slope of the pitch adds a unique challenge, which England’s bowlers, like Archer and Woakes, are likely to exploit in 2025.

Conclusion

The third Test at Lord’s promises to be a defining moment in the 2025 India vs England series, with both teams fielding strong XIs led by dynamic captains, Shubman Gill and Ben Stokes. India’s predicted lineup, bolstered by Bumrah’s return and Gill’s form, aims to capitalize on their Edgbaston momentum, while England’s XI, with Archer and Atkinson, seeks to reclaim home advantage. Lord’s, with its rich history and challenging conditions, sets the stage for a battle of skill and strategy. As India aim for a rare win at the venue and England defend their stronghold, cricket fans can expect a thrilling contest in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

Citations:

- By the Paceyard Team
Official English & Kashmir willow cricket bats and gear – https://www.paceyard.com

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