Nitish Kumar Reddy Strikes Early, Removes Both England Openers at Lord’s on Day 1

IND vs ENG 3rd Test Day 1: Nitish Kumar Reddy removes both England openers early at Lord’s, giving India a strong start

In a thrilling start to the third Test between India and England at Lord’s on July 10, 2025, India’s bowling attack made an immediate impact. Young pacer Nitish Kumar Reddy delivered a sensational performance by removing both England openers in his first over, setting the tone for India’s dominance on Day 1.

After England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and chose to bat, the Indian bowlers were eager to make early inroads. Reddy, who had been under scrutiny for his recent performances, seized the moment.

In a remarkable over, he dismissed both openers, sending Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett back to the pavilion. This unexpected double strike left England at a precarious 44/2, with Reddy’s figures reading 2/0 from just one over.

Following Reddy’s breakthrough, England’s middle order, including Joe Root and Ollie Pope, steadied the innings. However, India’s bowlers, led by the experienced Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, maintained relentless pressure.

The pitch at Lord’s offered assistance to the seamers, with variable bounce and movement, making batting challenging. England reached 44/2 in 14 overs, with Root and Pope at the crease, showing resilience in the face of India’s disciplined bowling attack.

The Indian team, led by captain Shubman Gill, displayed a well-coordinated strategy. The inclusion of Reddy, despite his recent underwhelming performances, proved to be a tactical masterstroke. His early breakthroughs not only disrupted England’s top order but also boosted India’s morale. The bowling attack’s synergy, with Bumrah’s pace and Siraj’s swing, complemented Reddy’s incisive spells, creating a formidable challenge for the English batsmen.

As Day 1 concluded, India had gained a significant advantage with England at 44/2. The match’s outcome will heavily depend on how the Indian bowlers capitalize on the early breakthroughs and how England’s middle order responds. With the pitch expected to offer more assistance to seamers, the coming days promise an exciting contest between bat and ball.

The 3rd Test of the fiercely competitive India vs England series kicked off at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground on July 10, 2025. With both teams hungry for victory and the series finely poised, the match promised excitement and fierce battles. From the very first ball, India made a statement through their young pacer Nitish Kumar Reddy, who ripped through England’s top order, dismissing both openers in his very first over. This early double strike set the tone for what could be a thrilling encounter.

Winning the toss, England captain Ben Stokes elected to bat first, looking to set a solid foundation on a pitch known for its pace and bounce. However, the English openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett found it difficult to settle against an incisive Indian bowling attack spearheaded by Nitish Kumar Reddy. In a display of raw pace and sharp swing, Reddy sent both Crawley and Duckett packing within the first few overs of the innings, leaving England reeling at 44 for 2.

This kind of early breakthrough is crucial in Test cricket, especially at Lord’s, often referred to as the “Home of Cricket,” where history has seen many matches turn on the back of such initial blows. Reddy’s spell not only dented England’s hopes of a steady start but also injected confidence into the Indian camp.

Nitish Kumar Reddy’s journey hasn’t been straightforward. Before this game, his performances had been inconsistent, with critics questioning his place in the side. However, the youngster silenced doubters with his fiery pace, perfect line and length, and clever use of the Lord’s conditions. His ability to swing the ball both ways troubled the English batsmen who struggled to negotiate his deliveries.

Reddy’s breakthrough came at a critical juncture, and his figures at the end of Day 1 reflected his impact — 2 wickets for 0 runs from just 1 over.

His bowling style is reminiscent of some of India’s great pacers, combining raw speed with tactical nous, making him a valuable asset for India in overseas conditions.

While Nitish Kumar Reddy grabbed the limelight, the Indian bowling unit as a whole showed tremendous discipline and aggression.

Veterans Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj complemented Reddy’s aggression with tight spells and clinical execution of plans. Bumrah, renowned for his lethal yorkers and deadly slower balls, kept the pressure on England’s middle order, not allowing them to build a rhythm.

Siraj’s ability to swing the new ball and extract bounce added another dimension to the attack. The Indian seamers exploited the variable bounce on the Lord’s pitch effectively, ensuring that England’s batsmen had to stay alert every moment they were at the crease.

Despite the early losses, England’s experienced middle order — led by Joe Root and Ollie Pope — showed resilience. Root, known for his elegant strokeplay and sharp cricketing brain, began steadying the ship. He and Pope started to rebuild the innings, carefully negotiating the swing and seam movement.

However, the challenge remains immense. The Indian bowlers maintained relentless pressure, and any lapse in concentration could lead to more wickets falling quickly. The ability of Root and Pope to negotiate this pressure would be key to England’s fightback.

The pitch at Lord’s on Day 1 proved to be a bowler-friendly surface with significant assistance for the seamers. The early morning moisture combined with overcast conditions created perfect conditions for swing bowling, which Nitish Kumar Reddy and his colleagues exploited to perfection.

Variable bounce added to the difficulty, forcing batsmen to play with caution. Traditionally, Lord’s pitch tends to flatten out as the Test progresses, making batting easier in the later days. Therefore, early wickets are often the difference between victory and defeat here.

Captain Shubman Gill’s tactical nous was evident in the way India approached the game. Selecting Nitish Kumar Reddy, despite his prior inconsistencies, was a bold decision that paid off handsomely. Gill’s leadership in marshaling the bowling attack and rotating bowlers to keep England under constant pressure was a key factor in India’s strong position.

Additionally, India’s fielding unit displayed sharpness, backing the bowlers with tight catching and ground fielding. This all-round team effort added to the mounting pressure on England’s batting line-up.

With the series level or India holding a slight edge (depending on prior match results), this Test match holds significant importance for both teams. Early dominance on Day 1 gives India a psychological advantage, especially playing away from home.

England, a side known for their resilience and ability to bounce back, will look to their senior players to deliver in the face of adversity. The middle and lower order batsmen need to put up a solid resistance to avoid slipping further behind.

Social media and cricket pundits were abuzz with praise for Nitish Kumar Reddy’s performance. Many highlighted his maturity and temperament at such a young age. Former Indian cricketers lauded the bowling strategy and predicted that Reddy could be a mainstay in the Indian bowling line-up for years to come.

Fans, meanwhile, celebrated the quick strikes as a positive omen for India’s chances in the Test. Online forums and live blogs noted the high tension at Lord’s and the electric atmosphere in the stadium as fans cheered the intense contest between bat and ball.

The rest of the Test promises nail-biting moments. If the pitch continues to assist bowlers, India’s pace attack could continue wreaking havoc. However, the middle and lower order of England will be desperate to grind runs and stabilize the innings.

For India, building a significant first-innings lead will be crucial. The batsmen will have to capitalize on the good start and set a target that puts England under pressure.

Weather conditions, pitch behavior, and player fitness will also play a big role in determining the outcome.

Nitish Kumar Reddy Strikes Early, Removes Both England Openers at Lord’s on Day 1