Daijiworld Media Network – London
London, Jul 10: As the clock ticks down to the third Test at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground, the spotlight shines squarely on momentum — the defining buzzword ahead of what promises to be a riveting clash between India and England. With the series delicately poised at 1-1, both teams will be eager to wrest the advantage and carry a psychological edge heading into the second half of the series.
India, fresh off a historic and emphatic victory at Edgbaston — their first-ever Test win at the venue — arrived in London brimming with confidence. The team has had two intense training days at the ‘Home of Cricket,’ while the English squad had a solitary net session on July 9. The visitors, led by Shubman Gill in the absence of Rohit Sharma, have shown both tactical sharpness and unity, and the win in Birmingham has undoubtedly lifted morale in the Indian camp.
Vice-captain Rishabh Pant, who has been at the heart of the team’s resurgence, addressed the media on the eve of the Test and emphasized the importance of keeping the momentum alive. “Definitely it's a short turnaround, but when you have momentum on your side, you want that short turnaround,” Pant said, oozing calm and confidence. “Eventually you’ve got to play good cricket. This team will play better and will win eventually.”
Pant has not only been juggling responsibilities on and off the field — from training sessions to gala events — but also seems to have matured into a more composed presence, both behind the stumps and in the pressroom. His recent appearance at a high-profile London dinner hosted by Yuvraj Singh, where he bid a whopping £17,000 at an auction, didn’t take away from his readiness for the big match.
Team India, keen to build on their Edgbaston heroics, fielded a full-strength side in their final nets session. The batting order looked sharp, with KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Gill indulging in marathon stints at the crease. Even after formal training, players like Gill, Karun Nair and Sai Sudharsan continued their practice under the guidance of Ryan ten Doeschate, focusing on muscle memory through underarm drills on artificial turf.
England, though down from their Edgbaston defeat, remain a formidable unit at home and will be keen to reverse their fortunes at Lord’s. The hosts had edged India in Leeds and know well they were just a few moments away from potentially swinging the series in their favour. With familiar conditions and a vocal home crowd backing them, England’s approach is likely to be aggressive as they eye a decisive comeback.
As the stage sets for a blockbuster at Lord’s, both teams understand the stakes. A win here would mean more than just a lead — it would give the victor control over the narrative of this hard-fought series. The atmosphere in London is electric, and if recent contests are anything to go by, fans are in for another cricketing classic.