Following a historic defeat at Edgbaston, where Shubman Gill led India to a dominant victory, England appears to be changing its strategy for the third Test at Lord's, allegedly requesting a pitch that favors their strengths. The match is scheduled to commence on July 10.

The loss at Edgbaston was particularly heavy, with India winning by 336 runs. The conditions at Edgbaston, described as a "subcontinent-style" pitch, seemed to favor the Indian batting lineup, which capitalized on the flat track to post a massive total across two innings. Shubman Gill led the charge with a double century and a century, scoring 269 and 161 respectively.

Now, it seems England is aiming for a different kind of surface at Lord's. Reports suggest that the England management has requested a pitch with "plenty of life in it". Head coach Brendon McCullum reportedly wants a pitch with "a bit more pace, a bit more bounce, and maybe a little bit of sideways" movement. This request signals a clear departure from the strategy employed at Edgbaston, where the flat pitch seemingly backfired.

The Lord's ground recently hosted the World Test Championship (WTC) final in 2025, where pacers thrived. Kagiso Rabada took a five-wicket haul, and Pat Cummins secured six wickets. England may be hoping for a similar kind of pitch, which might better suit their bowling attack.

Furthermore, there are speculations about potential changes in England's playing XI. Two key pacers, Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson, are expected to be back for the Lord's Test. Archer, who was added to the squad before the second Test, has been training and is ready for a return. Atkinson's return would also be a major boost after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Former England captains Mike Atherton and Nasser Hussain have analyzed the Edgbaston defeat, suggesting that the pitch suited India more. Atherton noted that England wasn't good enough to draw, even on the flattest of pitches, while Hussain highlighted how the Indian seamers exploited the dryness and cracks on the surface. Hussain added that the Edgbaston pitch was not what England wanted and was more akin to what Indian players are used to.

The change in pitch strategy and potential team changes indicate that England is keen to level the series after the defeat at Edgbaston. The third Test at Lord's is poised to be a crucial encounter, with England aiming to utilize home conditions to their advantage.