Shubman Gill, leading the Indian cricket team, showcased his strategic acumen during the third Test against England at Lord’s, despite an early setback. In the first session, Gill dropped a challenging catch of Ollie Pope, a momentary lapse in an otherwise commendable display of captaincy. The match, held on a Thursday, saw India battling England with a determined approach. Gill’s decision-making came to the fore after a period of intense bowling by Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep. The English openers, Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley, managed to survive the initial onslaught, reaching 39 for no loss in 13 overs. The unique slope of the Lord’s pitch posed challenges for the Indian bowlers as they adjusted to its nuances. In a pivotal move, Gill introduced all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy into the attack from the Nursery End. This decision proved to be a masterstroke as Reddy struck twice in a single over, leaving England at 83 for two by lunch. Duckett was the first to fall, gloving a short delivery to wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant. Although Gill missed a tough chance at gully off Pope’s bat immediately after, Reddy continued his impressive spell. Reddy’s second wicket came with the dismissal of Crawley, who edged a beautifully seamed delivery to Pant. This performance marked Reddy’s best Test figures in an over, with two wickets for just five runs. The atmosphere at Lord’s was electric, with over 30,000 fans in attendance. Cricket enthusiasts from London and beyond filled the stands, underscoring the enduring appeal of Test cricket in England. Among them were Indian fans who had traveled from afar, including a family from Bengaluru who paid a premium for tickets. Despite challenges faced by Test cricket globally in attracting crowds, this series has demonstrated its continued vitality and popularity in traditional strongholds like England.