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As the high-stakes series between England and India heads to the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground for the third Test which is slated to kick off from July 10, legends have weighed in on India’s potential team combination. Following India’s historic 336-run victory against England in the second Test at Edgbaston, which helped them level the series 1-1, the discussion has now shifted to team strategy and selection for the more traditional swing-friendly conditions at Lord’s. With Lord’s offering conditions quite different from Birmingham, India’s decision-making would revolve around achieving the right balance between pace potency and batting resilience.
Stuart Broad has an advice for Team India for Lord’s battle
Former England pacer Stuart Broad, who knows the Lord’s slope better than most, offered valuable insight on Sky Sports. He highlighted the challenge the Indian pace attack could face in London, especially with bowlers like Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah in the mix. India had gone into the Birmingham Test with a balanced attack that included three seamers and two spinners. Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, both of whom contributed handsomely with the bat.
“I’d be worried about this Indian bowling attack at Lord’s. The ball just nips down that slope and Akash Deep brings the stumps into play from that end and if it swings you’ve got Bumrah who swings it so late. I don’t think you need two spinners at Lord’s necessarily but I think they’ll play the two spinners in the fact that it gives them batting depth and they’ll back the fact that they’ve got three seamers who can do that damage,” Broad stated.
Broad’s concerns about India’s seamers were well-founded. Akash Deep had made a strong impression in Birmingham with his ability to extract movement off the pitch while maintaining control, bringing the ball back in sharply to right-handers, targeting the top of off and stumps. Bumrah, who was rested for the second Test, was expected to return for the third. His deceptive pace, late swing, and pinpoint yorkers have troubled batters across conditions, and his return would significantly boost India’s attack on a pitch known for seam and swing.
Indian speedster Akash Deep delivered a heroic performance at Edgbaston. He picked up four wickets in the first innings and followed it up with six-wicket haul in the second, finishing with match figures 10/187. Akash Deep became the first bowler since West Indies legend Michael Holding to dismiss four out of England's top five batters in a Test match inning. His emotional dedication of his first 10-wicket haul in Test cricket came as a surprise to her sister.
The spin duo of Jadeja and Sundar had not only provided variety with the ball but also bailed India out with crucial runs. Jadeja, showcasing his all-round brilliance, compiled scores of 89 and an unbeaten 69 across two innings. Sundar, playing his first Test in a long time, chipped in with handy knocks of 42 and 12. Their presence lengthened the load of Indian batters, giving them the depth often required in overseas Tests.
Kumar Sangakkara’s insights on the upcoming Test match
Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara also came up with a suggestion on India’s likely XI for the upcoming Test. The former Sri Lanka captain believed Bumrah would replace Prasidh Krishna and highlighted Sundar’s value in the lower-middle order.
“I think Siraj and Akash Deep will play. I think Skiddy (Prasidh) will make way for Bumrah. I think they might keep that extra batter Washington Sundar at number eight just because it gives them the confidence and a little bit of cushion to manage the downside,” he reckoned.
Batting first, India posted a massive 587 in their first innings, powered by a sensational 269 from Shubman Gill and a crucial 89 from Ravindra Jadeja, while Washington Sundar also chipped in with 42. In response, England were folded for 407 riding on Mohammed Siraj's sizzling six-fer and Akash Deep's fiery four-fer. India then declared their second innings at 427/6 after another century from Gill. With a herculean task of chasing a massive target of 608 runs, England succumbed to Akash Deep's sensational six-fer and were bowled out for 271 in their second innings, as India registered their first-ever win at Edgbaston, breaking their 58-year-long jinx.
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