Opting to bat first for only the second time at home in the Bazball era, England resisted their trademark aggression. Instead, they embraced patience on a slow, slightly uneven pitch that demanded application. Root, supported by Ben Stokes (39 not out off 102 balls), anchored the innings and formed an unbroken 79-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
India kept the run rate in check throughout the day. In the morning, England openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett cautiously negotiated the first hour before debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy removed both in a single over. Duckett gloved one down the leg side, while Crawley edged a beauty to the keeper. Reddy’s spell settled nerves in the Indian camp.
After lunch, England’s scoring slowed further. Root and Ollie Pope (44) showed discipline, especially against India’s pace trio of Bumrah, Siraj and Akash Deep. Ravindra Jadeja finally broke the 109-run third-wicket stand by dismissing Pope with a delivery that turned just enough to catch the edge. Bumrah then bowled Harry Brook with a delivery that nipped back.
Rishabh Pant suffered a blow to his left hand and briefly left the field, but his replacement Dhruv Jurel filled in well behind the stumps. Pant is expected to resume duties on Day 2.
The pitch was a talking point leading into the game. Although it appeared green on the eve of the match, it looked flat at the toss. India went in with six bowling options, bringing back Jasprit Bumrah in place of Prasidh Krishna. Akash Deep, hero from Edgbaston, struggled to settle into rhythm on the Lord’s slope.
Despite the heat, a near-capacity crowd turned out at the iconic venue. Fans flew in from across the world, with many paying steep prices for tickets. The energy around the ground, along with a gritty contest on the field, reinforced the appeal of red-ball cricket in England.
As Day 1 concluded, the match remained finely poised, with Root on the brink of a 37th Test hundred.
