Follow UsIndia’s ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah has returned to the playing eleven in the third Test at Lord's on expected lines, replacing Prasidh Krishna, who blew hot and cold over the last two Tests.
As announced earlier, England also made just one change, where they removed Josh Tongue to bring in Jofra Archer, who’s returning to Test cricket after 1595 days. Notably, the last time Archer played at Lord’s was his famous debut Test during the 2019 Ashes when he concussed Steve Smith.
Meanwhile, England skipper Ben Stokes won the toss and had no qualms in choosing to bat first as he looked to make the most of favourable batting conditions at Lord’s, where the sun is shining brightly and the pitch looks good to bat on.
Interestingly, Indian skipper Shubman Gill said that he would have wanted to bowl first on this pitch, as the first hour has the most help available on the pitch. It would be interesting to see which skipper’s dictate would prove right.
India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Karun Nair, Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah (In for Prasidh Krishna).
England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (C), Jamie Smith (WK), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer (In for Josh Tongue), Shoaib Bashir.
Ben Stokes: We are going to have a bat. Generally, this surface has some help for the bowlers in the first hour. It (the mood) is good, well fought series and we are up for this game. The body is good. Quick turnaround, we are fresh and ready to go. Everyone likes playing at Lord's and you have to enjoy the occasion. Just one change - Archer replaces Tongue.
Shubman Gill: I was confused what to do till this morning. I would have bowled first. There would be something for the bowlers in the first session. Everyone chipped in and that's what the discussion was about. The bowlers are feeling confident, wasn't easy to pick 20 wickets on that (Edgbaston) wicket. I am feeling great, as a batter you expect to be in the middle of the situation and batting. We have one change - Bumrah for Prasidh.
There is a bit of grass on it, but it has been cut down a little bit. They want a bit of pace and carry which is why they have left a bit of grass on it. Using the short ball will be key here. The slope is going to play a role, especially with the seamers: Nasser Hussain.