Root Stands Tall as England Dig Deep on Testing Lord’s Pitch

The opening day of the Lord’s Test between India and England unfolded like a love letter to old-school cricket—a far cry from the hyper-aggressive “Bazball” era that England has been championing in recent years. With a green-tinged wicket, overcast skies, and a ball doing just enough to keep batters honest, the stage was set for a day of traditional Test match attrition. The mood was contemplative, the cricket measured, and the pace deliberate—reminiscent of a bygone era where batters valued time at the crease more than the strike rate.

At the heart of England’s resistance was Joe Root. Steady, serene, and deeply rooted—literally and figuratively—Root once again reminded the world why he remains the cornerstone of England’s Test batting lineup. As wickets fell around him in the first session, Root stood tall, playing late, softening the ball, and nudging the scoreboard forward with the kind of quiet authority that makes him such a joy to watch. On a day when batting looked anything but easy, he made it look just about manageable.

The Setting: A Classic English Day

Lord’s was at its most theatrical. The slight slope across the ground seemed more pronounced. The morning breeze had a chill to it. And the surface was green enough to draw nods of approval from fast bowlers around the world. When India’s captain opted to bowl first, few were surprised. Overhead conditions screamed swing. The pitch whispered seam.

And for a brief while in the first session, India’s pace bowlers had England under siege. Mohammed Siraj was sharp and aggressive. Jasprit Bumrah was characteristically unrelenting, probing just outside off stump with unwavering precision. Debutant Mukesh Kumar, drafted in to replace the injured Mohammad Shami, showed admirable control for someone playing his first Test at such a hallowed venue.

England’s openers failed to last. Zak Crawley edged behind early. Ben Duckett, trying to be positive, fell playing a loose stroke. Ollie Pope never settled. The scoreboard crept up, but the tension was thick. It was a reminder that Test cricket, even in 2025, can still reward patience and punish recklessness.

Enter Joe Root: Old Wine in a Fine Bottle

Root’s arrival brought calm to the chaos. There was no audacious reverse scoop. No paddle sweeps. Just the purity of batsmanship—well-timed drives, late dabs, judicious leaves, and an utter refusal to be rushed. Root began in survival mode, his first 20 runs taking over an hour. But slowly, he opened up.

His footwork was immaculate. When India pitched short, he swayed or pulled along the ground. When they went full, he drove with grace. He ran his singles hard and took twos with the alertness of a much younger man. Most importantly, he kept his head down and stayed in his bubble.

Root built small partnerships, first with Jonny Bairstow, then with Ben Stokes. While neither of his partners looked entirely fluent, their presence allowed Root to carry on his mission: bat, survive, and set up England for a respectable first innings score.

By tea, England were five down. Root was closing in on a hard-earned fifty. The surface had begun to dry a little, but batting was still far from easy. The Indian bowlers had lost some of their early venom but continued to chip away. It was the kind of Test match ebb and flow that makes the format so rewarding.

India’s Bowling: Consistent but Not Ruthless

While the Indian pace attack kept things tight, they’ll feel they could have done more damage early. Bumrah bowled magnificently, drawing multiple false shots, beating the bat countless times, and testing Root with clever changes of pace. But fortune did not favour him. Edges dropped short. One inside edge missed the stumps by inches.

Siraj was fiery and aggressive, picking up two wickets and troubling left-handers with his angle. Mukesh Kumar showed promise, getting movement off the pitch and keeping things tidy. Shardul Thakur, often used in bursts, provided variety but lacked consistent threat.

Ravindra Jadeja, the lone spinner, bowled unchanged for long spells from one end but found little bite on Day 1. With the pitch offering minimal turn and England being cautious, his main role was to hold one end up.

The absence of Ravichandran Ashwin was the subject of much debate. On a track that began to dry out and offered bounce, Ashwin might have been a handful, especially against the lower order. India’s decision to go with four pacers and just one spinner could prove costly later in the match.

Stokes’ Evolution as a Batsman

Ben Stokes came in with England in a spot of bother. Known for his aggressive instincts, he showed an admirable level of restraint. Much like Root, Stokes realized that this pitch wasn’t suited to counter-attacking flair. He shelved his attacking shots and focused on survival.

It was a different kind of innings from Stokes—a captain’s innings in the truest sense. He took blows, left well, and resisted the urge to dominate. His presence ensured England didn’t collapse under pressure. Together with Root, he ensured that the hosts made it to stumps with six wickets in hand and hopes of crossing the 300-run mark.

A Day for the Purists

For all the talk about the death of Test cricket, Day 1 at Lord’s was a powerful rebuttal. There was no white-ball influence, no frenetic scoring, no gimmicks. It was old-school cricket—strategy over spectacle, technique over innovation.

The crowd responded too. They sat back, applauded the blocks as much as the boundaries, and gasped in unison as the ball whistled past the edge. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation, not adrenaline. And that made it special.

The scoreboard may not suggest fireworks—England finished Day 1 at around 220/6—but the cricket was absorbing in its own way. Every run had to be earned. Every wicket came through perseverance.

What Lies Ahead

As Day 2 approaches, the pitch is expected to slow down further. Batting may become marginally easier in the first session before cracks begin to widen and variable bounce sets in. England’s aim will be to push toward 300, with Root at the center of those hopes.

India, meanwhile, will aim to polish off the tail quickly with the second new ball and then respond strongly with the bat. The surface will demand application, and their top order will need to show the same discipline Root displayed on Day 1.

This Test is finely poised. One good session either way could swing momentum. But if the opening day is anything to go by, we’re in for a compelling, slow-burn thriller.

At Lord’s, the ghosts of tradition still walk tall. And on this day, cricket bowed to them.