Rishabh Pant has played down all the hype around Jofra Archer's highly anticipated comeback at Lord's after the star speedster was included in England's playing XI for the third Test against India which is slated to start from July 10.
After a hiatus of over four years from Tests, Jofra Archer's return to the game has garnered significant attention throughout the cricketing community. Meanwhile, India's vice-captain and star wicketkeeper-batter made it clear that whenever he steps into the field his focus is on enjoying his cricket and give his 100 per cent to the game not on any individual. However, he also admitted that it will be a good contest with Archer coming back to England fold.
Rishabh Pant on hype around Jofra Archer
“Personally, whenever I step on the field, I enjoy my cricket and try to give my 100 percent. It's not particularly about any individual. Yes, it's going to be a good contest, because he's also coming after a long break. But yes, I'm happy he's back,” Pant said in the pre-match press conference on July 10.
Pant's remark follows India's historic 336-run win over England in the second Test at Edgbaston, which was thier first-ever victory at the venue, breaking a 58-year-long jinx. Pant has been instrumental in India's strong performance, having accumulated 342 runs in the series so far with an impressive average of 85.50.
Interestingly, Archer's last appearance in Test cricket was also against India during their 2021 tour. His impact in that series was immediate and significant. In the opening Test match, he dismissed both Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill early in a fierce opening spell, setting the tone for England's victory in Chennai. Notably, Archer has dismissed Gill twice in their two previous encounters, and he will likely be aiming for a similar impact at Lord's.
England has made a single change to their playing XI for the Lord's Test following their heavy defeat at Edgbaston, bringing in Jofra Archer. Ben Stokes' team will be hoping that the 30-year-old fast bowler can inject some much-needed potency into their bowling attack, which has struggled to yield results.
Lord's holds a special significance for Archer, as it was the venue where he famously bowled the Super Over that led to England's triumph in the 2019 Cricket World Cup. Furthermore, he also made his memorable Test debut at the same iconic ground in the summer of that year.
As Team India heads into the Lord's Test with the series locked at 1-1, all eyes will be on the duel between Pant and Archer.
England's playing XI for third Test against India:
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (capt), Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir