IND vs ENG 3rd Test Toss Update: India vs England Playing 11, Captain's Quotes, Pitch Report

IND vs ENG 3rd Test Toss, Playing 11 Update: England captain Ben Stokes opted to bat first after winning the toss against India at Lord's in London on July 10, 2025 (Thursday).

After winning the toss, Ben Stokes said: We are going to have a bat. Generally this surface has some help for the bowlers in the first hour. It (the mood) is good, well fought series and we are up for this game. The body is good. Quick turnaround, we are fresh and ready to go. Everyone likes playing at Lord's and you have to enjoy the occasion. Just one change - Archer replaces Tongue.

Meanwhile India captain Shubman Gill said: I was confused what to do till this morning. I would have bowled first. There would be something for the bowlers in the first session. Everyone chipped in and that's what the discussion was about. The bowlers are feeling confident, wasn't easy to pick 20 wickets on that (Edgbaston) wicket. I am feeling great, as a batter you expect to be in the middle of the situation and batting. We have one change - Bumrah for Prasidh.

IND vs ENG Playing XIs

India (Playing XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Karun Nair, Shubman Gill(c), Rishabh Pant(w), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

England (Playing XI): Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes(c), Jamie Smith(w), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir

IND vs ENG 3rd Test Pitch Report

The pitch at Lord's for the third Test promises an intriguing contest between bat and ball. While there's a hint of grass left on the surface, it has been trimmed down slightly, suggesting a balanced wicket that could assist both pacers and batters as the match progresses.

The presence of grass is primarily to preserve pace and carry, which should offer encouragement to fast bowlers, especially in the first couple of days. Seamers who can exploit the natural slope of the ground - which runs from the Pavilion End to the Nursery End - are expected to have a greater impact. The slope at Lord's often creates movement in both directions and adds an extra layer of challenge for batters unfamiliar with it.

Expect teams to use the short ball tactically, as the bounce could surprise batters, particularly early in the innings. However, as the match wears on, the surface is likely to flatten out, making stroke play easier under clearer skies.