India captain Shubman Gill has confirmed that Jasprit Bumrah will return to the playing XI for the third Test versus England at Lord’s. Speaking after India’s big win in the second Test at Edgbaston, Gill expressed his excitement about leading the team at one of the most iconic cricket venues in the world. He called it a childhood dream and said there is no bigger honour than captaining India at Lord’s.
India secured a thumping 336-run victory over England at Edgbaston to level the five-match series 1-1. Gill himself scored 269 and 161 runs. The pacers delivered with the ball on a pitch that was conducive for batting. It was a complete performance and the win came without the services of their pace spearhead Bumrah, who was rested for the game.
In Jasprit Bumrah’s absence, Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep rose to the occasion. Siraj was outstanding in the first innings and picked up six wickets to break the back of England’s batting. In the second innings, it was Akash Deep who bagged a six-wicket haul of his own. Their combined effort ensured that Bumrah’s absence was not felt. India went on to register their biggest Test away win in terms of runs.
Jasprit Bumrah Back for Third Test at Lord's, Shubman Gill Ends All Speculation
Speaking after the match, Shubman Gill confirmed that Bumrah will be back for the next game of the series, scheduled at the Lord's in London from July 10.
"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 said as quoted after India's victory at Edgbaston.
Bumrah had picked up a five-wicket haul in the first innings of the Headings Test. He was then rested for the second Test at Edgbaston, where Akash Deep came in his place.
Akash Deep grabbed the opportunity with both hands and finished with ten wickets in the match. With that performance, he became only the second Indian bowler after Chetan Sharma to claim ten wickets in a single Test on English soil.
Who will Jasprit Bumrah Replace at Lord's?
With Bumrah set to return for the third Test at Lord’s, it is likely that Prasidh Krishna will make way for him in the playing XI. The Karnataka pacer has struggled to make an impact so far in the series. He was expensive in the first innings at Edgbaston and conceded 72 runs without taking a wicket. Prasidh's economy rate of 5.5 in the first innings came under heavy criticism from fans and experts.
With Bumrah coming back and Siraj and Akash Deep in good form, Prasidh is expected to be left out.
Also read: Watch Jasprit Bumrah funnily trolls Shubman Gill after epic Edgbaston win
