England 251/4 as Root Nears Century at Lord's

England won the toss and opted to bat first in the third Test against India at Lord's, departing from their usual chase-first strategy after a heavy defeat in the previous match. England finished Day 1 at 251/4, with Joe Root unbeaten on 99 and Ben Stokes on 39, although Stokes' groin injury raised concerns about his future participation. Jofra Archer returned to England’s side after four years, while India brought back Jasprit Bumrah. A lighthearted moment occurred when Ravindra Jadeja teased Root over reaching his century, entertaining the crowd. The Test series stands at 1-1, with both teams seeking an edge in this pivotal match. The pitch at Lord's was prepared to offer more assistance to bowlers, as requested by England.