The hallowed grounds of Lord's are set to witness a potentially series-defining clash as India and England face off in the 3rd Test, with the series squared at 1-1. Adding immense anticipation to this encounter is the expected return of two express pace merchants: Jasprit Bumrah for India and Jofra Archer for England.
India, fresh from their victory at Edgbaston, will be further bolstered by the return of Jasprit Bumrah, who is expected to spearhead their bowling attack. Captain Shubman Gill has confirmed Bumrah's inclusion in the playing XI, a move that significantly strengthens the Indian bowling arsenal. Bumrah's ability to deliver under pressure and his knack for picking up crucial wickets make him a vital asset for the team. It is likely that Bumrah will replace Prasidh Krishna in the lineup. The team management might consider bringing in Shardul Thakur to fortify the bowling unit, potentially in place of Nitish Reddy or Washington Sundar.
England, on the other hand, are looking to Jofra Archer's return to inject much-needed firepower into their bowling attack. Archer's comeback after a long injury layoff is eagerly awaited by the English camp, who hope he can exploit the potentially seaming conditions at Lord's. Besides Archer, England might also include Gus Atkinson in the playing XI, further reinforcing their pace options. Archer and Atkinson could replace Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue respectively. The English batting lineup, however, appears to be somewhat unsettled, and they may consider bringing in Jacob Bethell to replace the struggling Zak Crawley. For England, Joe Root needs to rediscover his best form to help the team bounce back from the Edgbaston loss.
The pitch at Lord's is expected to favor seam bowlers, adding another layer of excitement to the contest between Bumrah and Archer. Both teams have key batsmen in good form. India will depend on Shubman Gill.
With the series delicately poised, the inclusion of Bumrah and Archer adds an extra dimension to the already high-stakes encounter. Their ability to generate pace, extract movement, and bowl crucial spells could very well dictate the outcome of the match and, potentially, the series.
