'It will be a challenge with him...': Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak warns India of Jofra Archer threat ahead of 3rd Test at Lord's

India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak wants his team to be wary of big threat in England's Jofra Archer in the third Test. The third Test match of the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy between Shubman Gill's India and Ben Stokes' England is scheduled to get underway from Thursday, July 10, at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground in London.

Sitanshu Kotak warns India of 'Jofra Archer' challenge in Lord's Test

Team India earned a commanding 336-run win over England in the second Test match held at Edgbaston in Birmingham, leveling the series at 1-1. This was India's first-ever win at Edgbaston against England as they broke the 58-year-long jinx at the venue. Shubman Gill was awarded the 'Player of the Match' for his batting heroics in the Edgbaston Test, which included a double century and another remarkable century.

Leading up to the third Test, there have been reports suggesting that England's star fast bowler, Jofra Archer, might be included in their playing eleven to bolster their bowling attack. During the pre-match press conference, India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, addressed the potential threat that Archer poses. Kotak acknowledged that Archer's inclusion would present a significant 'challenge' for the Indian batsmen. India's batting coach also speculated that England might make a couple of changes to their bowling lineup for the Lord's Test. Furthermore, the Indian batting coach suggested that England is likely aiming to prepare a more challenging wicket for the visiting Indian team at Lord's.

“It will be a challenge with Jofra coming in. There might be a couple of bowling changes in the England team which we don't know about. But wicket also will be a little more challenging, it seems, and after the last two games, if as a host England think that they want to give a little bit more challenging wicket, it's fair enough. And it will be a challenge for anyone on any wicket," Kotak said at the pre-match press conference.

Talking about Archer's track record in the longest format, since making his debut in Test cricket in 2019 against Australia, the 30 year-old has participated in 13 Test matches and has snared 42 wickets while maintaining an impressive economy rate of 2.99 and a bowling average of 31.04. It will be interesting to see whether England team management will include Archer in the playing XI for the third Test or not.