As India prepares for the crucial second Test against England at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground, batting coach Vikram Rathour has brushed aside concerns over the visibly green pitch but admitted that Jofra Archer remains a significant threat for Indian batters. Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Rathour emphasised that the team has faced such conditions before and is ready to tackle them with solid technique, mental strength, and clarity in shot selection.
The second Test carries immense importance after the opening match ended in a thrilling draw, with both teams eager to gain a decisive advantage in the five-match series. The green tinge on the Lord’s pitch has sparked discussions among experts, with many predicting early movement under overcast London skies, something Archer is known to exploit with deadly accuracy and pace.
Rathour: ‘We Have Played On Green Pitches Before’
India’s batting coach said,
“We have played on greener pitches in England and elsewhere. This is not something we have not faced before. The key is to trust your technique and leave balls outside off stump early on.”
Rathour also pointed out that the Indian top order has enough experience to adjust quickly, especially after a challenging net session where bowlers simulated English conditions with Dukes balls.
Jofra Archer: The Major Threat
Despite exuding confidence in his batters, Rathour acknowledged that Archer’s return to full fitness poses a major challenge. The England speedster, who took five wickets in the first Test at Nottingham, consistently bowled at 145+ kmph with steep bounce and sharp movement off the seam.
Rathour said,
“Archer is bowling beautifully. His pace and ability to extract bounce even from back of a length makes him dangerous. We have spoken about specific plans against him.”
Jofra Archer’s Recent Test Performance
| Match | Overs Bowled | Wickets | Best Figures | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Test vs India, Nottingham | 38 | 5 | 3/49 | 2.64 |
| Ashes 2025, Sydney | 42 | 6 | 4/72 | 2.85 |
| Ashes 2025, Melbourne | 35 | 4 | 3/67 | 3.11 |
His consistent performance since returning from injury has given England’s attack an edge, allowing captain Ben Stokes to rotate bowlers effectively while maintaining pressure.
Why The Green Pitch At Lord’s Is Significant
The pitch at Lord’s is often known to have a tinge of green on Day 1, offering seamers movement off the surface with the Dukes ball. However, this time the grass cover appears thicker, raising concerns about India’s top-order resilience. Key challenges include:
- Lateral Movement: Both off the seam and in the air, demanding precise footwork.
- Variable Bounce: Especially against bowlers hitting hard lengths like Archer and Wood.
- Early Overcast Conditions: Enhancing swing and making batting tougher in morning sessions.
India’s Top Order Record At Lord’s
| Batter | Matches | Runs | Average | Best Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma | 2 | 127 | 31.75 | 83 |
| Shubman Gill | 1 | 28 | 14 | 28 |
| Cheteshwar Pujara | 5 | 353 | 39.22 | 66 |
| Virat Kohli | 4 | 216 | 27 | 103 |
| Ajinkya Rahane | 3 | 287 | 47.83 | 103 |
Rahane and Kohli remain the only two in the current squad with a Test hundred at Lord’s. Their experience will be crucial if India hopes to counter the English pace battery.
Rathour’s Message To Batters
Rathour stressed the importance of leaving balls outside off stump, playing late, and maintaining discipline. He added:
“There is no need to chase deliveries swinging away. We want our players to be patient and build innings in partnerships. On such pitches, one good ball can dismiss you, but the key is not to gift wickets.”
England’s Probable Bowling Attack For The Second Test
| Bowler | Style | Strengths |
|---|---|---|
| James Anderson | Right-arm fast medium | Swing, seam, accuracy |
| Jofra Archer | Right-arm fast | Pace, bounce, aggression |
| Mark Wood | Right-arm fast | Extra pace, skiddy lengths |
| Ben Stokes | Right-arm medium fast | Short bursts, reverse swing |
With this attack, England will look to maximise early advantage on a green Lord’s wicket before it flattens out on Days 3 and 4, as is typical in London.
Past India vs England Tests At Lord’s
| Year | Result | Margin |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | India won | By 95 runs |
| 2018 | England won | By an innings and 159 runs |
| 2021 | India won | By 151 runs |
India’s win in 2021, powered by Bumrah and Shami’s lower-order batting and relentless bowling, remains fresh in memory, giving the team confidence to overcome challenging conditions again.
Jofra Archer vs Indian Batters: Head-To-Head Stats
| Batter | Innings | Runs Scored | Times Out | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma | 4 | 78 | 2 | 39.00 |
| Shubman Gill | 2 | 23 | 1 | 23.00 |
| Cheteshwar Pujara | 5 | 59 | 2 | 29.50 |
| Virat Kohli | 6 | 85 | 3 | 28.33 |
| Ajinkya Rahane | 4 | 47 | 2 | 23.50 |
These figures underline Archer’s dominance over India’s key batters, especially his success against Kohli and Rahane with pace and bounce.
Expert Reactions
Former England captain Michael Vaughan said,
“This is a typical English green pitch. Archer will be licking his lips. If India survives the first two sessions, they can post a strong total.”
Sunil Gavaskar advised Indian batters to “play for their off stump and trust their defence,” a formula that has worked for him in past England tours.
India’s Possible Batting Strategy
- Promote Pujara To Open: Given his defensive solidity, to counter new ball spells.
- Use Gill’s Attacking Approach: To unsettle bowlers if the ball stops moving.
- Rotate Strike Against Archer: Minimising his rhythm and preventing him from targeting one batter repeatedly.
Rathour On Indian Batters’ Mentality
Concluding his press conference, Rathour said,
“We back our batters to come good. Conditions are same for both teams. Whoever applies themselves better will succeed.”
Fans React To Archer vs India Battle
Social media saw a flurry of posts:
- “Jofra Archer on a green Lord’s pitch is scary. Hope Gill and Rohit survive the new ball.”
- “Excited for Kohli vs Archer. True test of technique and temperament.”
- “Trust Pujara to tire out Archer before Kohli arrives.”
Conclusion
India’s batting coach Vikram Rathour remains confident despite the challenge of a green pitch at Lord’s, focusing on disciplined batting and technical clarity. While he acknowledges the threat posed by Jofra Archer, Rathour believes India’s experienced top order has the resilience to tackle England’s pace attack and set up a strong position in the Test.
Disclaimer
This article is based on statements by team officials, match data, and expert analyses for public news dissemination. Readers are advised to follow official cricket boards for real-time updates, squad announcements, and pitch condition reports ahead of the match.
