World No. 1 Test bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who was rested for the second Test against England as part of his workload management, is poised to make his return to India’s playing XI for the third Test. This highly anticipated match is scheduled to take place at Lord’s in London from July 10 to 14.
Indian Test captain Shubman Gill confirmed Bumrah’s availability during the post-match presentation ceremony on Sunday, after India’s commanding 336-run victory over England in Birmingham. “Definitely (Bumrah back at Lord’s?). Very excited for that (Lord’s Test). Probably the most iconic cricket stadium in the world, and as a kid everyone dreams about playing there, and I think there is no bigger honour than to be able to captain your country and lead your team there,” Gill stated.
Bumrah, India’s third-highest wicket-taker in Tests in England, showcased his prowess with a five-wicket haul in the first innings of the Leeds Test last month, though he remained wicketless in the second. In his absence for the second Test, Akash Deep stepped into the playing XI and seized the opportunity brilliantly.
The 27-year-old fast bowler from Bihar finished the match with an impressive 10-wicket haul, becoming only the second Indian bowler after Chetan Sharma to dismiss 10 batters in a Test match played in England. Akash Deep’s figures of 10 for 187, comprising four wickets for 88 runs in the first innings and six wickets for 99 runs in the second, stand as the best ever by an Indian bowler in England.
