On a bright Thursday at Lord's Cricket Ground, the 3rd Test between India and England witnessed a spectacular bowling display from Indian all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy. The 22-year-old, who has been quietly impressive on English soil, turned the game on its head by dismissing both England openers, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, within a single over. His unexpected burst of brilliance came at a crucial juncture, leaving fans and commentators alike in awe and giving India an early upper hand in this high-stakes contest.
England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and elected to bat first for the third consecutive time, a decision that was warmly received by the home crowd after their heavy defeat at Edgbaston. The early exchanges saw Crawley and Duckett build a steady partnership, accumulating 43 runs in the first hour without loss. Crawley, known for his aggressive stroke play, started confidently, hitting four boundaries, including one through the outside edge, while Duckett, the Player of the Match from the first Test, played a more measured innings, scoring 23 runs from 40 balls.
However, the pitch at Lord's, which had been prepared with some grass in hopes of assisting the bowlers, presented a tricky challenge. Despite the initial tame appearance, the surface offered uneven bounce and subtle movement, conditions that Nitish Reddy exploited masterfully in the 14th over, shortly after the drinks break.
Reddy's first breakthrough came on the third ball of that over. Bowling a short delivery drifting down leg, he tempted Duckett into an ambitious pull shot. The ball, lacking pace, barely brushed Duckett's gloves before being brilliantly caught by wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant. Umpire Paul Reiffel was swift to raise his finger, sending Duckett back to the pavilion for 23 runs. This dismissal was a significant blow to England’s innings, breaking the solid opening stand.
Just three deliveries later, Reddy struck again. This time, he delivered a beauty that angled into Crawley and then nipped away off the seam, forcing the English opener to edge the ball to Pant once more. Crawley, who had faced 43 balls for 18 runs, was left frustrated as he trudged back to the dressing room. At the end of this over, England's promising start had unravelled, with the score at a precarious 45 for 2.
These twin wickets were not only vital in terms of the match situation but also historic. Nitish Reddy became only the second Indian bowler since 2002 to claim two wickets in his first over of a Test innings. The only other to achieve this feat was Irfan Pathan, who famously took a hat-trick in his first over against Pakistan in Karachi in 2006. Reddy’s achievement drew immediate praise on social media, with fans lauding his precision and composure. One fan tweeted, "Nitish Kumar Reddy 🥵," while another compared his performance to the legendary Glenn McGrath, highlighting the impact he had on the English batsmen.
The Indian team management's faith in Reddy also paid off handsomely. Despite a quiet outing in the previous Test, where he scored just one run in each innings and bowled sparingly, the selectors retained him for this crucial match. His performance vindicated their decision, showcasing his ability to deliver under pressure and adapt to challenging conditions.
India's bowling attack was further bolstered by the return of Jasprit Bumrah, who replaced Prasidh Krishna. Bumrah bowled from both the Pavilion and Nursery Ends, probing the English batsmen with his trademark pace and accuracy. Alongside Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj, who had impressive five-wicket hauls in the previous Test, the Indian pacers maintained relentless pressure, exploiting the pitch's uneven bounce and movement.
England, reeling from their early setbacks, looked to Ollie Pope and Joe Root to stabilize the innings. Pope survived a tough chance early on, edging a full outswinger from Reddy to gully, where Indian captain Shubman Gill could not hold the difficult low catch. Pope and Root then forged an unbroken partnership of 39 runs before lunch, helping the hosts reach 83 for 2 in 25 overs. Root was unbeaten on 24, showing resilience against the disciplined Indian attack.
Captain Shubman Gill admitted some uncertainty about the pitch conditions before the match, saying he was "a bit confused" about whether to bowl or bat first. The wicket, while initially promising for the bowlers with its grass cover, revealed a sluggish nature with variable bounce as the session progressed. Experts anticipate that the pitch will ease out for batsmen in the coming days, with spinners likely to come into play on the fourth and fifth days.
England’s inclusion of Jofra Archer, returning after a long injury layoff, was another strategic move aimed at gaining an edge on a pitch expected to assist seamers. Archer replaced Josh Tongue in the lineup, hoping to make an impact. However, the early blows from Reddy and the sustained pressure from Bumrah and company suggest that England’s middle order will have a tough task ahead.
The match at Lord's, often referred to as the Home of Cricket, has always been a battle of nerves and skill. On this day, it was Nitish Kumar Reddy who seized the moment, delivering a spell that will be remembered for its impact and precision. His twin strikes not only disrupted England's innings but also energized the Indian side, setting the tone for what promises to be a gripping Test match.
As the game progresses, all eyes will be on how England’s middle order responds to the challenge and whether India can capitalize on the early breakthroughs. For now, Nitish Reddy’s remarkable over remains the highlight, a testimony to the emerging talent and depth in the Indian cricket squad.