India Aims for Historic Series Win Against England at Lord's

India's Quest for Victory

An in-form India is set to pursue only their fourth series victory in England as they prepare for the third Test at Lord's, commencing this Thursday.

Following a commanding 336-run victory over England in the second Test at Edgbaston, India has leveled the five-match series at 1-1.

Key Players to Watch

Shubman Gill has made a remarkable impact since taking over as captain, amassing 585 runs in his first two Tests after succeeding the retired Rohit Sharma.

His outstanding performances at Edgbaston, where he scored 269 and 161, made him the first player in Test history to achieve scores of 250 and 150 in a single match.

Gill's prolific scoring puts him in contention to challenge Donald Bradman's long-standing record of 974 runs in a single Test series, having also scored 147 in the first Test at Headingley.

England's captain Ben Stokes acknowledged Gill's impressive form, stating, "You've got to give your opposition credit when it's due, and for him to bang out as many runs as he has done in this game has been pretty special."

However, Stokes is aware that Bradman's record has remained unbroken for 95 years, and many players have started strong only to falter later.

England's Bowling Concerns

Fast bowler Jofra Archer is poised to make his return to Test cricket after a four-year hiatus due to injuries, marking his comeback at Lord's, where he previously made headlines by injuring Australia's Steve Smith with a fierce bouncer in 2019.

Despite concerns about his ability to regain his former prowess, England's coach Brendon McCullum expressed optimism about Archer's potential impact.

Archer's return could provide England with the much-needed edge, especially as Chris Woakes has struggled, taking only three wickets at an average of nearly 97 in this series.

Geoffrey Boycott, a former England great, has suggested that Woakes may be past his prime, but he has a commendable record at Lord's, with 32 wickets in seven Tests at an impressive average of 12.90.

Bumrah's Comeback

Akash Deep has proven to be a capable replacement, achieving a 10-wicket haul in Birmingham, which likely secures his spot in the team.

However, India's bowling attack will undoubtedly be bolstered by the return of Jasprit Bumrah, who was rested for the Edgbaston Test.

"He (Bumrah) jogs in, and you think 'this will be 70 miles an hour,' but it hits you at 90," remarked former England paceman Stuart Broad on his podcast.

Bumrah, a top-ranked bowler, is expected to elevate his performance at Lord's, aiming to earn a place on the prestigious honors board for the first time.