England captain Ben Stokes and India’s wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant both suffered injuries during the opening day of the third Test match at Lord’s on July 10, 2025, raising concerns for both teams. England finished the day at 251/4 with Joe Root unbeaten on 99 and Stokes on 39, while Pant had to leave the field after hurting his finger. Stokes appeared to be struggling with a groin injury while batting, requiring on-field medical treatment and showing visible difficulty running between wickets during his partnership with former captain Joe Root. The England team remains hopeful about their captain’s condition, with teammate Ollie Pope expressing optimism about Stokes’ recovery. “Fingers crossed he can do something magic and come back strong,” Pope said regarding Stokes’ condition. “I’ve not seen him since, so fingers crossed there’s nothing too serious. But clearly we’ve got a big Test over the next four days and we’ve got a big two (at Old Trafford and The Oval) coming up as well, so it is important to try and manage him.”
The Indian team faced their own setback when Rishabh Pant injured his finger while keeping wickets. The incident occurred when he attempted to stop a wayward delivery from fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah that went down the leg side. Despite the initial appearance of the injury being minor, Pant was forced to leave the field after receiving treatment. Dhruv Jurel took over the wicketkeeping duties for the remainder of the day. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) acknowledged the injury through their social media channels but did not provide detailed information about its severity. The BCCI’s official update stated: “Update: #TeamIndia vice-captain Rishabh Pant got hit on his left index finger. He is receiving treatment at the moment and under the supervision of the medical team. Dhruv Jurel is currently keeping wickets in Rishabh’s absence.” When questioned about Pant’s condition during the post-day press conference, Indian all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy was unable to provide additional details.
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“To be honest I just came off the field and I don’t know anything about it,” Reddy said. “I haven’t heard anything, but we will hear more tomorrow morning before we go back.” The injuries to both players could potentially impact the remainder of the Test match, which is a crucial contest in the series. Both teams are awaiting further assessment of their respective players’ conditions. England’s performance on the opening day showed resilience, with Root and Stokes steadying the innings after early breakthroughs by the Indian bowlers. Despite his injury concerns, Stokes remained at the crease with Root as they built an unbroken partnership. The extent of both players’ injuries and their availability for the remainder of the match will be crucial factors as the Test progresses at Lord’s, with both teams hoping for positive news about their key players. The series continues to be significant for both teams, with upcoming matches scheduled at Old Trafford and The Oval following this Lord’s Test match.
