IND vs ENG 3rd Test: Archer Returns, Bumrah Boosts as India and England Lock Horns at Lord’s Test

Team India is set to face England in the third Test of the series at the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground, riding high on momentum after a massive 336-run victory at Edgbaston. The match promises high-intensity cricket, highlighted by the much-anticipated face-off between two of modern-day cricket’s premier pacers—India’s Jasprit Bumrah and England’s Jofra Archer. Archer’s return to Test cricket comes after a four-year hiatus due to multiple injury setbacks, while Bumrah rejoins the Indian squad after missing the second Test for workload management.

Also See: Team India Cricket Schedule (Latest Matches and Series List)

The Lord’s Test holds significant importance for both sides. India will aim to capitalize on their recent record at this iconic venue, having won two of their last three matches here in 2014, 2018, and 2021. With skipper Shubman Gill leading from the front in Birmingham with scores of 269 and 161, and the bowling attack firing through Mohammed Siraj’s six-wicket haul and Akash Deep’s ten-wicket performance, the team is further bolstered by Bumrah’s return.

Vice-captain Rishabh Pant spoke highly of Bumrah ahead of the Test. “I think everything (What makes Bumrah special). How accurate he is, the way his mind works, I think he is just an amazing man,” Pant said. He also added that keeping behind the stumps to Bumrah in England is particularly challenging due to the swing he generates.

From the England camp, captain Ben Stokes expressed his delight over Archer’s return, calling it a major boost not only for England fans but for Archer himself. “It’s really exciting. The way he has handled injury setbacks over that period has been very commendable. He should be proud of himself,” said Stokes. Dismissing any concerns about workload limitations, Stokes made it clear that Archer won’t be subjected to restricted spell lengths.

India vs England Series Schedule & Upcoming Matches

Despite the loss at Edgbaston, Stokes appeared upbeat about England’s chances at Lord’s. “We’ll be coming out this week trying to hit them hard and obviously trying to come away with a win,” he said.

Rishabh Pant, speaking on behalf of Team India, welcomed the challenge posed by Archer’s return but stressed that the team isn’t focusing on individual opponents. “Personally, whenever I step on the field, I always enjoy my cricket and try to give my 200%. Not particularly about any individual,” Pant said. “Yes, it’s going to be a good contest because he’s coming back after a long break. I’m happy he’s back.”

Pant also raised concerns over the condition of the Dukes ball during the recent matches, highlighting how it frequently goes out of shape. “The ball is getting de-shaped too much. That has never happened like this. It is definitely irritating for the players because every ball plays in a different way,” he remarked. He suggested uniformity in how ball deformities are judged, noting the impact such inconsistency has on both bowlers and batsmen.

The squads for the Test reflect both depth and opportunity for experimentation. India’s 18-member squad includes a blend of experience and youth, with names like Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Akash Deep, and Kuldeep Yadav alongside seasoned campaigners such as Bumrah and Siraj. England’s lineup features a solid top order with Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, and Joe Root, while also banking on all-round prowess from Ben Stokes and fresh energy from players like Jamie Smith, Brydon Carse, and Gus Atkinson.

Squads for IND vs ENG 3rd Test:

India Squad: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Karun Nair, Shubman Gill(c), Rishabh Pant(w), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Dhruv Jurel, Sai Sudharsan, Arshdeep Singh, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav

England Squad: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes(c), Jamie Smith(w), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir, Jamie Overton, Josh Tongue, Sam James Cook, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell.