The anticipation is building as India and England prepare for the third Test at Lord’s, set to commence on July 10. With the series currently tied at 1-1 following intense contests at Headingley and Edgbaston, the focus has shifted to the conditions of the pitches. Both venues have been favorable to batsmen, with several players from both teams achieving centuries. However, after England’s loss at Edgbaston, captain Ben Stokes made a surprising remark, suggesting that the pitch resembled those found in the subcontinent, which he believed played to India’s strengths. Stokes commented, “To be honest, it’s probably ended up being more of a subcontinent pitch as it’s got deeper and deeper into the game.” He noted that India’s familiarity with such conditions allowed them to exploit the pitch more effectively than England could. In response, India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak offered a measured rebuttal. “Personally, it didn’t look like a subcontinental wicket to me. Whenever our bowlers bowled, the ball moved. Even in the second innings, the ball was moving even after 40 overs,” Kotak stated. He explained that while there was some turn on the final day due to footmarks on the hard wicket with grass, it was not akin to typical subcontinental pitches. Looking ahead to the Lord’s Test, Kotak anticipates a more challenging pitch for batsmen compared to the previous matches. “There is a little green in the wicket, which we saw in the last two matches; it is more than that,” he observed. He expects that once the final preparations are made before the match, the pitch will likely favor bowlers. Kotak emphasized that adapting to conditions is crucial for batsmen. “Spending time on the wickets is the best friend you can have,” he advised. The return of Jofra Archer to England’s lineup adds another layer of complexity for India. Kotak acknowledged Archer’s presence as a challenge but maintained that any wicket could be difficult if not approached correctly. As both teams gear up for what promises to be an exciting encounter at Lord’s, all eyes will be on how they adapt to and perform under these potentially testing conditions.