Shubman Gill confirms Jasprit Bumrah’s return for third Test at Lord’s

Jasprit Bumrah (Pic: AFP)

India's premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is all set to return to the playing eleven for the third Test against England at Lord's next week, after being rested for the ongoing second Test in Birmingham.

Captain Shubman Gill confirmed Bumrah's much-anticipated comeback on Wednesday, shedding light on the team's strategic approach to managing the pacer's workload during this demanding five-match series.

Bumrah, who featured in the opening Test at Leeds, that India lost by five wickets, was given a breather for the second encounter at Edgbaston. The decision to rest him was in line with the team management's carefully charted plan to keep their strike bowler fresh, especially given the gruelling nature of Test cricket and the pivotal role he plays in India's attack.

Speaking at the toss ahead of the second Test, Gill elaborated on the rationale behind the move. "Third Test being at Lord's, we think there'll be more in that pitch so we'll use him there," the skipper said.

Gill also touched upon the team's deliberations over potentially playing wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav. "We were tempted to play Kuldeep (Yadav) but decided to add some depth to the batting," he added.

The third Test at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground is scheduled to commence on July 10, and it promises to be a crucial contest in the context of the series. With India trailing after the defeat in Leeds, Bumrah's return is expected to provide a significant boost to their bowling arsenal. Known for his uncanny ability to exploit even the slightest of movements off the pitch and his relentless accuracy, Bumrah will be eager to make an impact on a surface historically known to favour seamers.

The Indian think tank had made it clear at the outset of the tour that Bumrah would feature in only three of the five Tests, a proactive measure aimed at managing his workload and minimising injury risk. This long-term vision underscores the importance of preserving Bumrah's fitness, not just for the remainder of this series, but also with an eye on upcoming international commitments.

As the focus now shifts toward the Edgbaston Test, all eyes will be on how India recalibrate their plans with Bumrah back at the helm of the pace attack, hoping to claw their way back into the series and keep their aspirations alive on English soil.