The third Test of the five-match series between England and India gets underway today at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. With the series currently levelled at 1-1, both teams have arrived at the venue with high spirits and an eye on gaining the upper hand.

England drew first blood with a record run-chase at Headingley, while India hit back with a dominant victory at Edgbaston. As the action now shifts to the spiritual home of cricket, the contest promises another high-stakes battle between two evenly matched sides. Both camps have had intense practice sessions in the lead-up, with team combinations expected to reflect the conditions on offer at Lord’s, which is traditionally known for aiding swing bowlers.

Rishabh Pant criticizes the quality of Dukes ball

India’s wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has raised questions over the quality of the Dukes ball used in the ongoing Test series. Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Pant called the condition of the red cherry a “big problem”, revealing that it frequently loses its shape during matches.

Pant emphasized that while the issue is evident to players on the field, the responsibility of deciding whether to change the ball rests with the umpires, as per existing regulations. He further suggested that the laws may need to be revisited to ensure the integrity of the contest isn’t compromised by substandard equipment.

“Definitely. I feel it’s a big problem because the ball is getting out of shape. But at the same time, it is not up to us because when you are leaving, you see the ball. You can see it is ‘D’ shaped. But the rules are like such. Until and unless someone changes it. It is not up to the players,” Pant remarked.

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Series levelled 1-1 as momentum swings both ways

The England-India series has already seen two thrilling contests. In the first Test at Headingley, the hosts pulled off a stunning victory by chasing down 371 runs, thanks to a batting masterclass led by Ben Duckett.

However, India turned the tide in the second Test at Edgbaston, with Shubman Gill‘s men showing grit and discipline to level the series. Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj and the Indian pace attack were clinical, while the batting unit featuring Gill, Rishabh Pant and others delivered under pressure.

Now, with three Tests remaining—including this pivotal encounter at Lord’s—both teams are aiming to take a decisive 2-1 lead. The stage is set for another compelling chapter in one of Test cricket’s fiercest modern-day rivalries.

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