Stokes Promises England Response at Lord’s, Quiet on Batting Struggles.
England captain Ben Stokes has vowed a strong team performance in the third Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Lord’s, as the hosts look to recover from a heavy defeat at Edgbaston and reclaim control in the five-match series against India.
With the series level at 1-1, the spotlight is on England to respond, especially after their 336-run loss in Birmingham exposed both their batting and bowling frailties. Stokes acknowledged India’s dominance in the second Test but dismissed any talk of panic in the England camp.
“We’ve never underestimated India. They played very well in Birmingham. But this is a long series, and we’re ready to come out hard at Lord’s,” Stokes said on Tuesday. “It’s about absorbing the blows and hitting back harder.”
After pulling off a record 371-run chase in Leeds to win the opener, England were outclassed in all departments in the second Test. Shubman Gill led India’s charge with stunning scores of 269 and 161, while pacers Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj dismantled England’s batting on a flat surface.
To strengthen their attack, England have recalled Jofra Archer to the playing XI. The speedster, who last played a Test in 2021, returns after a long injury layoff and is expected to add much-needed firepower to the seam department.
Stokes Silent on Form Slump
Despite calls for introspection, Stokes remained guarded when asked about his personal form. The all-rounder has struggled for runs over the past year, and his form has dipped further in 2025 — scoring just 95 runs across three Tests at an average of 19.00.
Stokes hasn’t crossed 40 in the current series and last scored a Test hundred in 2023 — ironically at Lord’s during the Ashes. “That was two years ago, so I don’t dwell on it. But yeah, I feel good, and hopefully, a big score is not far away,” he said.
Comparisons with India’s Gill — who has been in record-breaking touch — have added to the scrutiny surrounding Stokes, especially as England seek leadership with the bat under pressure.
Dukes Ball Debate Continues
Stokes also weighed in on the ongoing debate over the quality of the Dukes ball, echoing Shubman Gill’s concerns that the ball has been going soft prematurely.
“There’s always been some chatter about the ball going soft here, especially for touring sides. But it’s definitely been an issue in this series,” Stokes said. “Once the ball goes out of shape and fails the ring test, you get a new one. Until then, you just have to get on with it.”
His comments come amid pushback from the ball manufacturer, which claimed the conditions — not the ball — were to blame for the lack of movement.
Lord’s Challenge Looms
While England are known for their aggressive bounce-backs, Lord’s has proved a tricky venue for them in recent years, particularly against Asian teams. India famously won here in both 2014 and 2021 — and with Jasprit Bumrah returning to the Indian squad for the third Test, the visitors’ bowling strength only deepens.
For England, the task is clear: regroup, respond, and avoid going behind in a series that has already seen wild momentum shifts.
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