Two wickets and a dropped catch - Kumar Reddy rattles England

Lord's witnessed a fiery start to the third Test as India's Nitish Kumar Reddy unleashed a spellbinding opening over, tearing through England's top order and immediately injecting high drama into the contest. On day one, with the iconic Lord's slope offering its traditional assistance, Reddy, a relative newcomer, announced his arrival on the grandest stage with a double strike that sent shockwaves through the English dressing room. The left-arm pacer first breached the defence of Ben Duckett, sending his stumps cartwheeling, before following up with the prized scalp of Zak Crawley, who edged a probing delivery to the slip cordon. In the space of just a few deliveries, England found themselves reeling, their much-vaunted 'Bazball' approach facing an early, existential crisis.

The breathtaking start, however, was tinged with a moment of frustration for the tourists. Amidst the euphoria of two early breakthroughs, India captain Shubman Gill put down a regulation chance at second slip, reprieving Ollie Pope. It was a lapse that could prove immensely costly, as Pope, known for his resilience and ability to rebuild an innings, was given a lifeline on what was a truly unplayable opening burst from Reddy. The dropped catch highlighted the fine margins that define Test cricket, turning what could have been a calamitous triple-wicket maiden into a tantalising 'what if' scenario for India, even as Reddy’s raw pace and accuracy continued to pose a formidable threat to the remaining batsmen. The psychological blow, nonetheless, was significant for England, forcing their middle order to contend with a new, aggressive bowler brimming with confidence.

Reddy’s electrifying performance not only provided India with a dream start but also set the tone for a captivating day of Test cricket. His ability to extract movement and generate genuine pace immediately put England on the back foot, forcing them to rethink their aggressive strategy. While the dropped catch on Pope will undoubtedly be a talking point, the sheer impact of Reddy's opening salvo cannot be understated. It was a testament to India's meticulous preparation and perhaps a bold selection gamble paying immediate dividends. As the day unfolds, the focus will remain on whether England can recover from this early onslaught and whether India can capitalise further, with the memory of Pope's reprieve looming large over the proceedings. This early skirmish at Lord's has unequivocally signaled that the third Test will be a battle of attrition, with momentum swinging precariously from the very first over.