Green tinge, slope and the Lord's: India batters set for their 'first' England challenge; third IND vs ENG Test from July 10
TimesofIndia.com in London: Well before India's first training session at the Lord's Cricket Ground got underway on Tuesday morning, the support staff, led by head coach Gautam Gambhir, was in a huddle near the playing surface.
There was a fresh tinge of green on the 22 yards, and all of them - from bowling coach
Morne Morkel
to batting coach Sitanshu Kotak - did numerous rounds of firmness checks. As they stood on the practice pitches, the ground staff swung into action and some grass was shaved off the surface to make it brighter than how it was on first impression.
The treatment on the square and the pitch continued as the team practiced in the nets and there was generous watering to keep it fresh under the sun. The grass could be trimmed further on eve of the game but the pitch promises to have more life than what Headingley and Edgbaston offered.
Jasprit Bumrah
, in conversation with the ground staff, compared the two surfaces to Nagpur and Kanpur when he was bowling in the nets.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.
SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Will this be more of the same? Quite possible as the game progresses but there will be more life on the opening day, in the first two sessions at least. Similar trend was followed during the World Test Championship Final as four Australia batters were dismissed within the first 25 overs.
"There is little green in the wicket. It's more than what we saw in the last two matches.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Our one of a kind Patented Cold Water Extraction Process
Superior Ginseng
Undo
But tomorrow, when they will make the final cut, the last cutting they do the day before the match, after that we can talk. And generally, the Lord's... The scores of the first and second innings are comparatively low. So, we can expect that it will be helpful for bowlers," said India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak.
TimesofIndia.com at Lord's (Photo by Sahil Malhotra)
Past trends, green tinge and the eight feet slope means India batters will face their first real challenge at Lord's after comfortable batting conditions in Leeds and Birmingham, respectively.
Many will be playing their first fixture at the Home of Cricket as only Ravindra Jadeja (twice), KL Rahul (twice) and Rishabh Pant (once) have played here before. The iconic venue brings along some challenges which require minor adjustments as far as a batting group is concerned.
Exclusive first look of green Lord's pitch: Intense chat of Gautam Gambhir with coaching staff
The eight feet slope runs down from the Pavillion End to the nursery end, and adjustment remains the key word. To the naked eye, you can hardly spot any difference but there is a substantial one.
While batting from the Pavillion End, the ball moves away from the right-hander more than usual because of the slope and the nursery end sees some exaggerated movement into the right-handers. There are similar challenges for the bowlers, too, but as far as batting is concerned, a few minor adjustments help to ace the conditions and be ready for the challenges thrown at them.
Poll
Based on the conditions mentioned, what outcome do you predict for India at Lord's?
Win
Loss
Draw
Too close to call
Many batters who have played here have done minor tweaks to their guard for the two ends to counter the inward and outward movement on offer.
That slope means there are scoring opportunities on offer but staying tight and compact will allow the batters to last and dominate for longer periods. Kotak felt countering the slope is more of a mindset thing as many batters deal with it as a "natural variation".
"It depends on the mindset. I have seen some players saying that they don't understand the slope. And some players feel that there are natural variations. Obviously, because of the slope, there will be some variations. But, after hitting the seam, there are some variations. So, we cannot keep it in mind. But, again, we talk about adapting the conditions that come into play," explained Kotak.
India batters have enjoyed their time in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy so far and how they deal with the Lord's slope could well decide whether the series goes uphill or downhill from London for them.
Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
16 minutes ago
- Time of India
Fulton's men look to bounce back
Bengaluru: India struggled during the European leg of the FIH Pro League last month, losing seven of their eight matches against top teams such as Argentina, Australia, Belgium, and the Netherlands. For the Indian team, this was a tough reality check, especially as they had aimed to secure a World Cup berth. They narrowly missed the wooden spoon, finishing above bottom-placed Ireland. This experience served as a wake-up call for the team. However, there is hope on the horizon. The Men in Blue are now focusing on the Asia Cup, which begins late next month in Rajgir, Bihar. The competition offers India a chance to qualify for the World Cup scheduled to take place in the Netherlands and Belgium in Aug next year. Preparations are already underway, with a training camp set to begin on Monday. Additionally, a squad of 24 players will be taken to Australia for a two-week camp that will include friendly matches. From them, 20 players (including two standbys) will be selected for the continental competition. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru "The Asia Cup is a priority for the year. We want to remain the No. 1 in Asia, and we know many strong teams will be vying for victory to secure direct qualification. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Wolfsburg: Nur 700 Plätze. Werden Sie Testhörer für die neuen Hörgeräte ohne Zuzahlung. Gutes Hören Undo We must respect all our opponents, but we are focused on improving from our performance in the Pro League and returning to winning form," said India's head coach Craig Fulton during a virtual interaction on Tuesday. India, currently ranked No. 8 in the world, is the highest-ranked team in Asia and will enter the tournament as favourites. However, challengers like Pakistan (WR 15), Malaysia (12), and South Korea (13) could give the home team a tough competition. The Indian team must utilise the next seven weeks to address their weaknesses and bring their best performance to Rajgir. One major concern has been the performance of the backline, as they conceded 26 goals in eight matches last month. They allowed some soft goals that frustrated Fulton, who emphasises a solid defensive strategy. Also, teams frequently scored late, contributing to India's losses. India also felt the absence of their captain, Harmanpreet Singh , who missed several matches due to a finger injury. "He got hit with the ball on his finger, which opened it up. Losing your captain during critical moments is always challenging, and someone else needs to step up to fill that void. It was a tough period for us, but we are fully focused on the Asia Cup now and have learned some hard lessons," Fulton remarked.
Time of India
25 minutes ago
- Time of India
'I'll knock him out easy': Gilberto Ramirez warns Jake Paul that YouTube fame means nothing in real boxing
'I'll knock him out easy': Gilberto Ramirez warns Jake Paul that YouTube fame means nothing in real boxing (Image Via Getty) On July 8, 2025, professional boxer Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez gave a big update. Speaking to TMZ Sports, he said that if Jake Paul wants to fight him for the cruiserweight world title, he's open to the idea. But he warned that Jake Paul has no chance of beating him. The comment was made just days after Paul defeated a former champion, which sparked talks of a title fight. Fans are now excited, but Gilberto Ramirez isn't worried. He made one thing clear, he's not afraid to defend his title. What Gilberto Ramirez said about Jake Paul possibly fighting for his title Gilberto Ramirez, who is the WBA cruiserweight champion, said on Tuesday, July 8, that he's okay if Jake Paul wants to step in the ring. Ramirez said, 'If the money's right, let's do it. Easy fight, easy money.' He spoke from Toronto, where he is presently training. With thirty knockouts, Gilberto Ramirez has only one loss and forty-eight victories in professional boxing. He has years of ring experience. Starting boxing only a few years ago, Jake Paul just defeated Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in Anaheim, California, on June 28. Jake Paul's victory improved his rating and qualified him for a title shot, placing him among the top 15 WBA candidates. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Our one of a kind Patented Cold Water Extraction Process Superior Ginseng Undo But Gilberto Ramirez isn't impressed. He called Jake a good entertainer, but not a real boxing threat. Also Read: Jake Paul Breaks Into WBA Top 15 And Sets Sights On World Title Fight Against Gilberto Ramirez Jake Paul wants the title but it won't be easy Jake Paul, age 28, is chasing big names in boxing. After beating Chavez Jr., he quickly challenged Gilberto Ramirez. He said, 'Zurdo looked slow. I'll knock him out easy.' His win was clear, he won 10 out of 12 rounds by unanimous decision. That gave him the confidence to go after a world title. But Gilberto Ramirez doesn't think Jake Paul has the skills. 'He talks a lot,' Ramirez said, 'but I'm not Chavez Jr. I'm a real champion.' Though negotiations are still online, the two have not yet agreed on any battle contract. Should this battle come to pass, it might be among the most-watched events of the year. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Time of India
30 minutes ago
- Time of India
Dallas Mavericks' Anthony Davis Undergoes Eye Procedure: What Happened and What's Next?
Anthony Davis (Image via Getty) In a twist that even the most seasoned NBA fans didn't see coming, Dallas Mavericks star Anthony Davis recently underwent a surgical procedure to repair a detached retina—an injury that, if left untreated, can threaten vision and a player's career. The All-Star big man, acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Los Angeles Lakers for Luka Doncic, had already been under the microscope for his durability. Now, with this latest setback, the basketball world is buzzing with questions and concern. How Did Anthony Davis' Injury Happen? Anthony Davis ' eye woes aren't new. Throughout the 2024-25 season, he endured multiple blows to the face, including a memorable incident in November when, as a Laker, he was poked in the left eye by Raptors center Jakob Poeltl. That play forced him out of the game, and he was later diagnosed with a corneal abrasion. Unfortunately, repeated trauma to the same area appears to have culminated in the more serious detached retina that required surgery. What Is a Detached Retina? A detached retina occurs when the thin layer of tissue at the back of the eye pulls away from its normal position. This is a medical emergency, as it can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated promptly. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 20 Pieces of Clothing Older Women should Avoid Learn More Undo Symptoms often include flashes of light, new floaters, or a shadow over part of the visual field. For an athlete like Davis, the risks are even higher, given the physical nature of basketball and the frequency of facial contact. Anthony Davis' Surgery and Recovery Timeline The procedure to repair a detached retina is delicate but well-established. According to reports, Davis' surgery was successful, and he is expected to make a full recovery in time for the Dallas Mavericks ' training camp. While the timeline for his return is optimistic, medical experts note that recovery from such an injury can vary depending on the severity and the individual's healing process. Anthony Davis' Mavericks Debut: A Rocky Start Anthony Davis' arrival in Dallas was highly anticipated, but his debut was marred by injuries. After joining the Mavericks in February, he played just nine regular-season games and two playoff contests, limited by an adductor strain and later a knee issue. Despite these setbacks, Davis made his presence felt, averaging 20 points, 10.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 2.2 blocks per game—a tantalizing preview of what a healthy Davis could bring to Dallas. The Bigger Picture: Davis' Durability and Dallas' Hopes Anthony Davis' injury history is well documented, and his latest eye procedure only adds to the narrative. Yet, Mavericks fans have reason for optimism. With a full offseason to recover and the addition of No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg, Dallas is poised for a fresh start. Davis, at 32, is still considered one of the league's elite big men when healthy, and his leadership will be crucial as the Mavericks build around their new core. Entertaining Takes: Social Media Reacts The NBA community, never short on opinions, had plenty to say. Some fans joked about Davis' long list of injuries, calling him 'street clothes Davis,' while others suggested it might finally be time for him to don protective goggles—a look he famously resisted since high school. Amid the banter, there's genuine hope that Davis' latest surgery marks the end of his injury woes and the beginning of a new chapter in Dallas. What's Next for Davis and the Mavericks? - Training Camp Return: Davis is expected to be ready for the start of training camp. - New Teammates: He'll be mentoring Cooper Flagg, the Mavericks' top draft pick. - Championship Aspirations: With Davis healthy, Dallas aims to make a deep playoff run in the 2025–26 season. Anthony Davis' journey has been anything but smooth, but his resilience and talent are undeniable. Mavericks fans—and NBA watchers everywhere—will be keeping a close eye (pun intended) on his comeback. If Davis can stay healthy, the sky's the limit for Dallas' new-look squad. Key Stats: Season Games (Mavs) Points Rebounds Assists Blocks 2024-25 9 20.0 10.1 4.4 2.2 Also read: Jonas Valanciunas Trade Shrouded in Uncertainty as Cryptic Comments Stall Denver Nuggets' Backup Center Plans Stay tuned for more updates as Anthony Davis prepares for a pivotal season in Dallas! Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
