Lord’s, England: In a stunning turn of events at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground, India’s young captain Shubman Gill made a bold strategic move that paid dividends immediately, as all-rounder Nitish Reddy ripped through England’s opening pair, Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley, in a single over. This double strike has provided India with a crucial early advantage in the crucial third Test of the series.
The Strategic Gamble: Gill’s Faith in Reddy
After England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and elected to bat first on a seemingly docile Lord’s pitch, India’s frontline pacers, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep, toiled for the first hour without much success. England’s openers, Duckett and Crawley, had managed to negotiate the new ball, reaching 39/0 at the drinks break.
It was at this juncture that Shubman Gill, perhaps sensing the need for a change of pace or a different angle of attack, brought on the relatively unheralded Nitish Reddy. Reddy, who had a quiet outing in the previous Test at Edgbaston, was a surprising choice, but Gill’s faith was about to be spectacularly repaid.
Reddy’s Golden Arm: A Double Breakthrough
Reddy’s over started with a boundary flicked by Duckett, raising concerns about the decision. However, the all-rounder responded emphatically on the very next ball. An innocuous-looking delivery, short and down leg, was fended at by Ben Duckett, resulting in a faint glove edge that was brilliantly pouched by Rishabh Pant. Duckett departed for 23, breaking the blossoming opening stand.
Just three balls later, Reddy struck again, delivering an absolute peach to Zak Crawley. The ball, angling in from over the wicket, straightened off the pitch and found Crawley’s outside edge. Rishabh Pant was once again agile behind the stumps, completing the catch and sending Crawley back to the pavilion for 18. In the space of four deliveries, England had slumped from 43/0 to 44/2, completely shifting the momentum of the match.
Impact and Aftermath: India Seizes Control
Reddy’s remarkable double-wicket over has put India firmly in control of the early proceedings at Lord’s. The dismissals of both well-set openers have exposed England’s middle order much earlier than anticipated, putting immense pressure on Ollie Pope and Joe Root to rebuild. While Bumrah and Akash Deep had bowled disciplined lines, it was Reddy’s unexpected and incisive spell that provided the much-needed breakthroughs.
This bold tactical decision by Shubman Gill, in just his third Test as captain, highlights his growing confidence and astute cricketing brain. It’s a moment that could very well define the course of this crucial Test match, and indeed, the series.
