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Silas

The third Test between India and England at Lord’s commenced today, with the series finely balanced at 1-1. Both teams are eyeing a crucial advantage in this five-match series. India enters the contest riding high after a historic 336-run win at Edgbaston, their first-ever Test victory at the venue. Shubman Gill has been in exceptional form, amassing 430 runs so far, and India’s bowling duo of Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj claimed 17 wickets in Birmingham[1].

England has made adjustments to their lineup following the defeat, most notably with the highly anticipated return of Jofra Archer to the Test side after a four-year absence. He replaces Josh Tongue, aiming to add firepower to the English pace attack. Fast bowler Gus Atkinson, recently recovered from injury, also features. The team is banking on a “green top” pitch at Lord’s—specifically requested by head coach Brendon McCullum—to provide early assistance for fast bowlers and counter India’s batting depth[2].[4]

India, meanwhile, boosts their own pace battery with the return of Jasprit Bumrah, who sat out the second Test for rest. Prasidh Krishna is likely to be benched to accommodate Bumrah’s comeback[3]. India’s probable XI features a strong core: Shubman Gill (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Karun Nair, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Arshdeep Singh[4]. The team will finalize the playing XI after assessing pitch conditions on the morning of the match.

The Lord’s pitch is expected to aid seamers significantly, especially on Day 1, thanks to retained grass and a pronounced slope, which means increased lateral movement and a tough initiation for batters. This setup is a deliberate move by the hosts, hoping to exploit the conditions and gain the upper hand[1].[6]

Historically, England has dominated India at Lord’s with 12 victories out of 19 encounters. However, since 2000, matches have been more balanced, with India recording two famous wins (2014 and 2021). The series now stands poised for a potential turning point, with both teams desperate to claim a 2-1 lead before the break[4].[5]

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