England captain Ben Stokes' opted to bat first after winning the toss in the third Test of the five match-series at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground. This came as a shocker to everyone because it became the second instance of Stokes opting to bat first in a home Test since taking over as captain.
Stokes' decision caught the attention of former India head coach Ravi Shastri. The cricketer-turned-commentator was left astonished following their earlier decisions. He reckoned that pitch conditions and their 336-run defeat at Edgbaston, Birmingham may have played a significant part. He thought that Stokes' took the right decision.
While talking to Sky Sports Shastri said, "It took me aback. I said what have you decided, he says we'll bat. There was a pause. I said what? Did I hear correctly? Against the grain, England like to chase normally. But I think its the weather, the wear and tear. He knows how much the rough can come into play, the Indian spinners, the problems they posed in the last game at Edgbaston, so I think the right decision by England, specially after what happened at Birmingham, to bat first."
Shastri on Archer's return after long hiatus
Further, Shastri also talked about Jofra Archer's inclusion in the England's playing XI. He even highlighted the fact that if a player has not played since a long time, it hampers the performance at the pitch causing a lot of self-doubts.
"When you don't have that match fitness, subconsciously it plays on your mind. Do I exert myself, do I go full tilt, or just wait and watch. I think he will be smart here. He won't go full. He will conserve his energy. There will be the effort ball. Hope for England to bat another session, session and a half tomorrow. If that happens, then you will see the variable bounce. Then Jofra becomes a key man from England's point of view," the former India all-rounder concluded.
At the end of Day 1, England put on a score of 251/4. The partnership of Joe Root and Stokes struck it together for the hosts. Nitish Kumar Reddy was India's most successful bowler with two strikes in the first session.