MS Dhoni, Gavaskar, Lara light up Lord's for India-England ODI decider
Synopsis
Lord's on 19 July was as much a reunion of cricket's greatest as it was a match — Dhoni, Gavaskar, Lara, Lloyd, Sangakkara and Yuvraj in the same hospitality box, while Bollywood added to the spectacle. On the field, England's Bethell and Duckett put on 192 for the first wicket, exploiting a Bumrah-less India attack in a winner-takes-all ODI decider.
Key Takeaways
MS Dhoni attended the India-England 3rd ODI at Lord's on 19 July — his third match appearance during India's England tour.
Bollywood stars Saif Ali Khan and Kriti Sanon were also present in the premium enclosures alongside Dhoni and wife Sakshi .
A single hospitality-box frame featuring Sunil Gavaskar , Brian Lara , Sir Clive Lloyd , Kumar Sangakkara , and Yuvraj Singh went viral on social media.
Yuvraj Singh rang the five-minute bell at Lord's earlier in the day.
England reached 206 for 1 in 33 overs , powered by a 192-run opening stand between Jacob Bethell and Ben Duckett .
Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out of the decider due to a knee injury from the second ODI in Cardiff .
Legendary former India captain MS Dhoni headlined a star-studded gathering at Lord's Cricket Ground in London on 19 July, as the iconic 'Home of Cricket' hosted not just the high-stakes third ODI series decider between India and England, but also a rare convergence of cricketing royalty and Bollywood glamour. The series is locked at 1-1, making Saturday's clash a winner-takes-all contest.
Celebrity Roll Call at Lord's
Broadcast cameras spotted Dhoni seated alongside his wife Sakshi in the premium enclosures, accompanied by Bollywood actors Saif Ali Khan — who brought his son — and Kriti Sanon. This is Dhoni's third appearance at a venue during India's ongoing England tour; he was previously at Trent Bridge for the third T20I — which coincided with his birthday — and at Edgbaston for the first ODI.
Former India wicketkeeper-batter Farokh Engineer was also present at Lord's, adding another layer of cricketing heritage to the occasion. Ritika Sajdeh, wife of veteran opener Rohit Sharma, was also spotted in the stands.
A Frame That Stopped Social Media
The hospitality boxes at Lord's produced what is arguably the day's most-shared image: Sunil Gavaskar, West Indian legends Brian Lara and Sir Clive Lloyd, Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara, and former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh — all captured together in a single frame. Yuvraj had earlier rung the five-minute bell, a traditional Lord's honour.
Notably, the gathering brought together players from four different nations and multiple eras of the game, a sight rarely assembled outside of ICC events.
Match Situation: England Dominant Early
On the field, England elected to bat first and reached 206 for 1 in 33 overs at the time of reporting. Jacob Bethell and Ben Duckett forged a commanding 192-run opening partnership, putting England firmly in control of their chase for a series win.
India's bowling attack has struggled for penetration, a challenge compounded by the absence of fast-bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who was ruled out of the decider due to a knee injury sustained during the second ODI in Cardiff. Bumrah's absence leaves India's pace attack visibly diminished at a ground where swing conditions traditionally favour seamers.
What's at Stake
With the series level at 1-1, this third ODI carries the full weight of the bilateral contest. A Lord's ODI decider between India and England is a rare occasion in itself — the ground's history and the calibre of the celebrity audience only heighten the occasion's significance. How India's remodelled bowling lineup responds to England's strong start will define the match's trajectory.
Point of View
And England's 192-run opening stand suggests India's second-string pace attack is being exposed precisely when it matters most. The celebrity audience will remember the occasion fondly; whether India's players will is a different question entirely.
NationPress
20 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is MS Dhoni at Lord's for the India-England ODI?
Dhoni is attending the third ODI at Lord's as a spectator, continuing his presence during India's England tour. This is his third match appearance of the tour, having previously attended the T20I at Trent Bridge and the first ODI at Edgbaston.
Which cricket legends were spotted together at Lord's on 19 July?
Sunil Gavaskar, Brian Lara, Sir Clive Lloyd, Kumar Sangakkara, and Yuvraj Singh were all photographed together in the Lord's hospitality boxes, creating an image that circulated widely on social media. Yuvraj also rang the five-minute bell earlier in the day.
Why is Jasprit Bumrah not playing in the 3rd ODI at Lord's?
Bumrah was ruled out of the series decider due to a knee injury he sustained during the second ODI in Cardiff. His absence significantly weakens India's pace bowling options at a venue where swing conditions are traditionally advantageous for seamers.
What is the match situation in the India-England 3rd ODI?
England elected to bat first and were placed strongly at 206 for 1 in 33 overs at the time of reporting. Jacob Bethell and Ben Duckett shared a 192-run opening partnership, putting England in a commanding position in the winner-takes-all contest.
What is at stake in the India-England 3rd ODI at Lord's?
The three-match ODI series is locked at 1-1, making the Lord's match a series decider. The winner claims the bilateral series outright, with the contest carrying added significance given the iconic venue and the high-profile audience in attendance.
