England looked to be settling into a strong position early on Day 1 of the third Test at Lord’s as openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley weathered a challenging opening burst from Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep, and Mohammed Siraj.
The pitch offered plenty for the pacers, but the English pair stood firm, stitching together a gritty 43-run stand. Just when it seemed they had done the hard work, the introduction of Nitish Kumar Reddy turned the game on its head with a sensational first over.
The young Andhra pacer, still relatively new to Test cricket and not heavily relied upon with the ball so far, made an immediate impact. In the space of just six deliveries, he removed both set batters. First, he got Ben Duckett to glance a delivery down the leg side, caught smartly by Rishabh Pant.
Then, with the final ball of the over, he delivered a beauty that angled in and then straightened to knock over Crawley. The twin strikes sent a jolt through the English camp and electrified the Indian side.
With his confidence soaring, Reddy continued to trouble the English batters. His growing presence was constantly encouraged by captain Shubman Gill, who made it a point to keep the young pacer motivated and focused. Their rapport on the field was evident and added a refreshing energy to India’s attack. Gill’s leadership was proactive and personal, showing his support for Reddy through consistent encouragement at every opportunity.
A standout moment came during the 16th over with Joe Root at the crease. Attempting to unsettle Reddy, Root tried to dance down the pitch, but Reddy adjusted quickly, delivering a short and wide ball that seamed away sharply.
Root was completely beaten, and the ball safely landed in Pant’s gloves. In celebration, Gill turned to Reddy and shouted, “Bagundhi ra mama!”—a Telugu phrase that translates to “nicely done, brother”—in a show of camaraderie and cultural connection that lit up social media.
— Out of Context Telugu (@OutOfContextTel) July 10, 2025
Fans and pundits on Twitter were quick to applaud Gill’s use of regional language and how he’s bringing together a team with players from across India. His lively leadership, combined with Reddy’s dream spell, gave India a strong foothold in the match and showcased a modern captain who knows how to get the best out of his team—not just through tactics, but through genuine connection and spirited motivation.