India and England Gear Up for Thrilling Third Test at Lord's
Exciting Showdown Awaits at Lord's
The Indian batting lineup, currently in excellent form, is confident about tackling a potentially tricky pitch, while the bowling unit, which raised some doubts in the opening match, is set to challenge an unsettled England team with Jasprit Bumrah's return for the Test at Lord's starting Thursday.
With the series tied at 1-1 heading into the third Test, the dynamics surrounding both teams have shifted dramatically after India's impressive 336-run victory over England at Edgbaston.
Had it not been for missed catches and lower-order collapses in Leeds, India could have easily led the series 2-0.
Despite the inexperience of the Indian squad under new captain Shubman Gill, the team has not only held its ground but has also dominated most sessions across the two Tests.
England was anticipated to dominate following the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, but India's performance has showcased their depth and talent.
The significant runs scored by Gill and his teammates have forced Ben Stokes to alter their initial strategy of preparing flat pitches to outscore the opposition.
The Indian batters' success on flat surfaces has backfired for the hosts, who are now expected to provide a pitch that offers considerable seam movement, along with the unique challenge of the slope at the historic Lord's.
The return of Bumrah, alongside Jofra Archer, who is set to play his first Test for England in four years, will further complicate matters for the batters.
The Indian batting lineup appears solid, except for Karun Nair, who has struggled against deliveries that bounce unexpectedly. England is likely to target Yashasvi Jaiswal with short balls, but the Indian opener is known for finding ways to score.
The only anticipated change in India's lineup is Bumrah replacing Prasidh Krishna. Following the Leeds match, questions were raised about the effectiveness of the Indian pace attack, but the trio of Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj, and Bumrah looks formidable.
Akash Deep had a remarkable debut in England, taking ten wickets in the second Test, and his consistent targeting of the stumps will require the home side's batters to be cautious.
Siraj will draw confidence from his match-winning performance at Lord's in 2021, while Bumrah remains a threat even on the flattest pitches.
India utilized three all-rounders at Edgbaston, including two spinners, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, a strategy likely to continue with Nitish Reddy as the sole pace-bowling all-rounder focused on batting.
Former England pacer Darren Gough noted, 'The series is currently tied at 1-1, but India's bowlers have been the standout performers. Bumrah is significantly better than anyone else on display, and with Akash Deep and Siraj's outstanding performances, India has a strong seam attack, which is a concern for England.'
England's bowling lineup will be bolstered by Archer's return, who takes the place of Josh Tongue.
On the batting side, opener Zak Crawley faces pressure after two disappointing outings at Edgbaston, while skipper Ben Stokes is expected to contribute more runs, having quickly found his rhythm with the ball but struggling with the bat.
The crowd turnout has been impressive throughout the series, and Lord's is expected to be another sellout, adding to the excitement generated by the competitive spirit of both teams.
The Teams:
India: Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (vc & wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav.
England (Playing XI): Ben Stokes (captain), Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir.
Match Starts: 3:30pm IST.