The stage is set, the drama is building, and ENG vs IND just got a whole lot spicier! The third Test between India and England kicks off today, July 10, at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground, with the five-match series tied at 1-1. After India’s historic 336-run win at Edgbaston, the Men in Blue are brimming with confidence—and now, Jasprit Bumrah is back to lead the charge. But who’s making way for him? That’s the burning question on everyone’s mind.
Let’s dive deep into the latest team news, tactical shifts, pitch conditions, and everything else that’s making this Test match an unmissable event.
A Test of Grit: Series Tied, Stakes Sky-High
After two contrasting Tests, one thing is certain—neither side is backing down. England landed the first blow with a win at Headingley, but India punched back hard in Birmingham, registering their first victory at Edgbaston in 58 years. That win wasn’t just significant in terms of history—it showed the depth of India’s bowling attack and the brilliance of its batting lineup.
And now, as the action shifts to Lord’s, fans across the globe are asking: Can India carry this momentum forward?
The Return of the King: Jasprit Bumrah is Back
Let’s talk about the biggest headline: Jasprit Bumrah is back.
India rested their pace spearhead in the second Test to manage his workload, but now he’s raring to go. Skipper Shubman Gill confirmed during the post-match press conference that Bumrah would return—and true to his word, Bumrah replaces Prasidh Krishna in the XI.
With the slope at Lord’s and a pitch that promises seam and bounce, it’s a dream setting for Bumrah to wreak havoc. Think about it—what’s more exciting than the first ball of the match bowled by Bumrah on a lively Lord’s track?
India’s Bowling Trio: A Lethal Upgrade
Here’s the likely bowling unit for India in this Test:
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Jasprit Bumrah
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Mohammed Siraj
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Akash Deep
Siraj was sensational at Edgbaston and seems to love playing in England. Akash Deep has grown in stature, and with Bumrah joining the party, this bowling attack looks as fierce as it gets ENG vs IND.
Let’s not forget Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar. On a pitch expected to dry up later, spinners will have their say too.
India’s Predicted XI for 3rd Test
Here’s how India is likely to line up:
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Yashasvi Jaiswal
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KL Rahul
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Karun Nair
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Shubman Gill (C)
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Rishabh Pant (WK)
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Nitish Kumar Reddy
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Ravindra Jadeja
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Washington Sundar
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Jasprit Bumrah
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Akash Deep
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Mohammed Siraj
The only change? Bumrah in for Prasidh Krishna. Everything else stays the same. And honestly, with the way India dominated last Test, that makes complete sense.
Flat Tracks No More: England Shifts Strategy
It looks like England’s plan to prepare flat tracks has backfired. India’s batters, especially Shubman Gill, have made merry, piling on runs and putting the English bowlers under pressure.
As a result, the hosts are expected to serve up a seam-friendly pitch at Lord’s. Add the tricky slope at Lord’s into the mix, and batting won’t be a walk in the park anymore.
Is this a sign of England abandoning their Bazball strategy?
What’s Up with England’s XI? Jofra Archer is Back!
On the English side, the big news is the return of Jofra Archer to Test cricket after four long years. The fiery pacer is set to partner with Woakes and Carse, making England’s bowling lineup equally potent.
England’s Playing XI:
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Zak Crawley
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Ben Duckett
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Ollie Pope
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Joe Root
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Harry Brook
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Ben Stokes (C)
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Jamie Smith (WK)
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Chris Woakes
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Brydon Carse
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Jofra Archer
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Shoaib Bashir
The Toss Drama: England Bats First
England won the toss and—surprisingly—chose to bat first. Remember, this is only the second time in 12 home Tests during the Bazball era that England have opted to bat first. The last time? The first Ashes Test in 2023 at Birmingham.
Stokes said the mood in the camp is good, and the team is eager to push for a 2-1 lead.
Gill, meanwhile, admitted he might’ve bowled first anyway, anticipating early movement on a fresh pitch. Toss or not, both captains seem to be playing mind games already.
All Eyes on Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill has been the backbone of India’s batting in this series. With 430 runs already in the bag, he’s riding a wave of form and confidence.
His calm leadership and aggressive strokeplay have caught England off guard. If Gill continues in this vein, we might be looking at a future captain in the making—not just temporarily, but for the long haul.
Karun Nair Under Pressure
One weak link in India’s otherwise solid lineup? Karun Nair. He’s struggled against balls that rise sharply from a good length and hasn’t looked comfortable under pressure. With England likely to bowl short-pitched stuff into the body, Nair has a point to prove—or risk being dropped.
Lord’s Weather: Bat or Bowl?
It’s hot and sunny in London—unusual, right? With temperatures around 30°C, the pitch is expected to dry out quickly. That means bowlers will have to strike early with the new ball before conditions flatten out.
Spinners could come into play on Days 3 and 4, especially if the surface cracks up. As Deep Dasgupta said, “There’s a little moisture now, but it’s a good pitch to bat on after the first session.”
So, while batting first may seem bold, it could pay off—if England survive the early onslaught.
Fans Buzzing: The Archer vs Bumrah Battle Begins
Social media is already on fire. Fans are hyped for the Bumrah vs Archer face-off. One user wrote, “What’s more exciting than the ball in Bumrah’s hands to kick off a Test at Lord’s!!”
Others are predicting someone will etch their name on the Lord’s Honours Board—either with a five-wicket haul or a century.
And then there’s this cheeky observation: “Shubman Gill has lost three tosses in a row—and each time, he says he got what he wanted. Coincidence or classic mind games?”
What to Expect: A Test for the Ages?
This isn’t just a cricket match. It’s a clash of philosophies, a test of mental strength, and a chess match played on turf. With ENG vs IND finely poised, every ball could shift the momentum.
India’s strategy seems clear: attack with pace early, build pressure, and let their in-form batters take over. England, on the other hand, will look to reset the tone, ride the home support, and back Archer’s return to tip the balance.
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Conclusion
As we settle in for another gripping chapter in the ENG vs IND saga, one thing is certain: this series is delivering on every front. With Bumrah’s return, India’s pace attack looks ruthless. With Archer back, England won’t go down without a fight.
This Lord’s Test is more than a game—it’s a statement. For India, it’s about pushing for a series lead away from home. For England, it’s about bouncing back and proving that Bazball still has bite.
Grab your popcorn, because this Test might just go down in history.
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