Anderson‑Tendulkar Trophy: 3rd Test at Lord’s – Bumrah returns and Archer makes comeback after 4 years
Triple Title Third Test: Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy Begins at Lord’s
The third Test between England and India is being played from July 10 to 14, 2025, at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. The Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy series is currently tied 1–1—England won the first match by five wickets, while India bounced back to win the second by a massive 336 runs.
Significance of the Trophy
The newly introduced Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy was launched in June 2025, named after two modern-day cricketing legends: England’s pace spearhead James Anderson and India’s batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar. This trophy replaces the former Pataudi Trophy (in England) and Anthony de Mello Trophy (in India), and forms part of the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship cycle The trophy’s design features engraved images and signatures of both players, symbolizing their enduring legacy. A new tradition, the Pataudi Medal, will also be awarded to the winning captain, keeping the historical connection alive .
India’s Record at Lord’s
Lord’s has historically not been a very favorable venue for India. Out of 19 Tests played here, India has won only three and lost twelve, while four ended in draws. However, two of those three victories came in recent years—2014 and 2021—boosting India’s confidence. The last win was under Virat Kohli’s captaincy.
Playing XIs and Key Changes
England made one major change for the third Test—Jofra Archer replaced Josh Tongue. Archer returns to Test cricket after four years, having last played in February 2021. He joins Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse in the pace attack. Captain Ben Stokes won the toss and chose to bowl first.
For India, Jasprit Bumrah returns after being rested for the second Test. He will lead a formidable pace unit alongside Mohammad Siraj and Akash Deep. The batting order, featuring Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant, is in strong form.
Pitch and Weather Report
The Lord’s pitch is expected to favor seamers, with a greenish tinge offering bounce and swing early on. England reportedly requested a fast and bouncy wicket.
Weather in London between July 10 and 14 will be generally sunny and warm, with temperatures ranging from 17°C to 32°C. Rain is not expected to interfere with play.
Key Players to Watch
- Shubman Gill: The series’ top scorer with two big innings of 269 and 161 in the last match. He now has the chance to lead India to a historic Lord’s victory as captain.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal: The young opener has shown promise and could be crucial for solid starts.
- Jasprit Bumrah: Currently ranked as the world’s top Test bowler, he is expected to spearhead India’s pace attack.
- Mohammed Siraj & Akash Deep: Siraj has taken 6 wickets so far, while Deep claimed 10 in the Birmingham Test. Both are key assets for India.
- Jofra Archer: Making his long-awaited comeback, Archer is under the spotlight. He delivered a memorable performance at Lord’s in 2019. Ben Stokes called his return a potential “game-changer.”
Match Tension and Strategic Focus
- Ben Stokes has declared that England is prepared for tactical adjustments and aims to stage a strong comeback at home.
- Rishabh Pant and Stokes have also expressed concerns over the “soft Dukes” balls, which have been deteriorating quickly—posing challenges for both sides.
Match Schedule & Broadcast Details
- Dates: July 10–14, 2025
- Toss: July 10, 3:00 PM IST
- Match Start: 3:30 PM IST daily
- Broadcast: In India via Sony Sports Network & JioHotstar; in England via Sky Sports, talkSPORT, and others.
Conclusion
The third Test could be a turning point in the series. With Bumrah and Archer facing off, India’s aggressive batting, and England’s pace arsenal, the match is full of promise. Under Shubman Gill’s leadership, India looks confident, while England will hope to capitalize on home advantage under Ben Stokes. This is not just a contest of runs and wickets—but a symbolic battle between two modern cricketing powerhouses.
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