India’s predicted XI against England for the third Test

The Anderson-Gavaskar Trophy is all set to head towards the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground with the five-match series leveled at 1-1 after India’s brilliant 336-run victory at Edgbaston, their first at the venue in 58 years. The upcoming game, starting on 10 July, will witness the return of Jasprit Bumrah, who is expected to strengthen India’s pace attack, while England welcome back Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson.

England have dominated India at Lord’s historically, winning 12 of 19 Tests. Meanwhile, India’s last win at Lord’s came in 2021, a memorable 151-run triumph. Notably, the Edgbaston defeat has led the home team to ask for more bowler-friendly conditions after back-to-back batting-dominant pitches.

Top-order 

India will be sticking with their successful opening pair of KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal. The right-handed batter has been in sublime form so far and has been instrumental in providing solid starts to the team. In the opening Test, Rahul recorded scores of 42 and 137, hammering his third Test ton on English soil. In the Edgbaston Test, the veteran batter continued his solid form, registering a crucial fifty in the second innings. 

On the other hand, his partner Jaiswal has been going through a purple patch in the longest format of the game. The southpaw began the series on a high note, scoring a 101 in the first innings of the opening Test. He then went on to produce another fifty-plus score in the second Test and is currently riding high on confidence. The No. 3 slot will be taken by Karun Nair. The 33-year-old, who is yet to score a fifty in this series, has shown moments of brilliance with his bat. With Sai Sudharsan unlikely to make it to the XI, Nair will continue to bat at this position. 

Middle-order 

India’s middle-order for the third Test is set to feature captain Shubman Gill, vice-captain Rishabh Pant, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and spin-bowling all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar

Captain Gill is coming off a historic Edgbaston Test where he hammered 430 runs, the second-highest aggregate in Test history. Gill became the first batter to score a double century (269) and a 150 (161) in the same Test.

Pant, set to bat at No. 5, continues his fine form with 342 runs in four innings at an average of 85.50. His twin centuries in the opening Test and half-century at Edgbaston have been instrumental in India’s comeback in the five-match series.

All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is set to bring the balance at No. 6. With two unbeaten fifties and wickets in both Tests, Jadeja’s role will be important. He will be crucial on a pitch expected to assist pacers, but providing late turn.

Washington Sundar is likely to be favoured over Kuldeep Yadav again, due to his ability to contribute with the bat down the order and bowl. Though Nitish Kumar Reddy had an underwhelming outing with both bat and ball, Indian management is expected to back him, considering his dual role.

Bowlers 

India will be delighted to have their ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah back in the XI after missing the previous Test due to workload management. The star bowler was seen bowling in the nets for an hour during India’s net session one day before the Test match. 

Sharing the new ball with Bumrah will be Mohammed Siraj, who had an impressive game at Edgbaston. The Hyderabad-born bagged a six-wicket haul and took a single wicket in the second innings of the same game. He was well supported by Akash Deep, who ran through the England batting on a flat pitch in the last Test. The Bengal pacer ended with 10 wickets, scalping a six-wicket haul in the second innings and a four-fer in the first. 

India’s predicted XI against England for the third Test:

Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Karun Nair, Shubman Gill(c), Rishabh Pant(w), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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