Ben Stokes makes big tactical call; only seen once before in 'Bazball' era

India and England face off at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground for the third Test of the five-match series, with the contest finely balanced at 1-1. England won the opening Test at Headingley with a five-wicket victory, while India bounced back strongly in Edgbaston, clinching a massive 336-run victory. With the series delicately poised, both teams will be eager to seize the momentum at the ‘Home of Cricket’. However, even before the first ball was bowled by Jasprit Bumrah to Zak Crawley, England had already sprung a surprise with a rare tactical move. Unlike the first two Tests where India were sent in to bat after England won the toss, England skipper Ben Stokes this time chose to bat first — a notable deviation from their usual approach in home conditions in the Bazball era.

This is just the second instance in 12 home Tests under the leadership of Brendon McCullum and Stokes that England have elected to bat first after winning the toss. The only previous occurrence came in the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston in 2023, which England went on to lose by two wickets. Since McCullum’s appointment as head coach, England have largely preferred to chase or bowl first at home, making this decision an intriguing shift in strategy. It signals a possible review of conditions at Lord’s or a tactical ploy to apply early scoreboard pressure on the visitors. Since the first Test under McCullum, England have played a total of 23 matches, winning 16, losing 5 and drawing just one.

With the series evenly poised, the outcome at Lord’s could well shape the narrative heading into the final two Tests.