![Bumrah will return, question marks over Nair's place [Source: AP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1751960358519_bumrah_nair.jpg?type=mq)
Bumrah will return, question marks over Nair's place [Source: AP]
On Thursday, India will face England in the third Test of the ongoing five-match series. The high-octane clash will be played at the Home of Cricket, Lord's.
Led by Shubman Gill, India enjoyed stellar success in the Edgbaston Test, breaking their jinx and scripting a memorable victory. Now, as the caravan shifts to the iconic Lord's, let's analyse and find out their potential combination for the cracking contest.
But before that, here's a look at India's playing XI for the previous match in Birmingham.
India's playing XI for 2nd Test
Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Karun Nair, Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep
Probable Changes In India's XI For Lord's Test
Bumrah to return; will India rest Siraj or drop Prasidh?
| Criterion | Data |
| Innings | 4 |
| Runs conceded | 331 |
| Wickets | 6 |
| Average | 55.17 |
| Strike Rate | 62 |
| Economy | 5.34 |
(Prasidh Krishna's worrisome stats in ENG Tests)
Indian captain Shubman Gill has already confirmed that the visitors will bring Jasprit Bumrah back for the Lord's Test. The ace speedster, who was rested for the second match, is set to make his comeback in this encounter.
Akash Deep, who replaced Bumrah at Edgbaston, emerged as India's match-winner with a ten-wicket haul. Thus, the Bengal seamer is expected to retain his place in the playing XI. In such a scenario, India have two options to make room for Bumrah, provided they stick to their three-seamer strategy.
The visitors can either rest Mohammed Siraj or exclude Prasidh Krishna to create a slot for Bumrah in their playing XI. Given that India have a genuine chance to gain a crucial 2-1 lead in the series, Siraj will likely play this Test and form a formidable attack alongside Bumrah and Akash Deep.
So, Prasidh, despite bowling well in the second innings of the Edgbaston Test, might miss out, having bagged only six wickets across four innings at an abysmal economy of 5.34.
Will Karun Nair and get another game?
Despite getting two consecutive games, Karun Nair hasn't quite made a significant impact in the series. In four innings, the right-hander has amassed only 77 runs at an average of 19.25.
However, Nair got decent starts and looked rock-solid during his twin stays in the middle at Edgbaston. So, given that India won that game, the visitors might give him another opportunity to make it count and cement his place at number three.
No Room for Nitish Reddy, Arshdeep to debut?
All-rounder Nitish Reddy played a minimal role with bat and ball in the second Test at Edgbaston. Reddy, who looked sublime in Australia, could score only two runs while bowling only six overs throughout the match.
Thus, India might consider dropping him and utilise Washington Sundar's batting prowess at number seven. Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar definitely form a dependable batting pair that can tackle the English bowling attack.
More importantly, Reddy's exclusion will allow India to rope in Arshdeep, who can be pretty useful with his swing and seam on the seam-friendly Lord's deck.
India's probable playing XI for 3rd Test
Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Karun Nair, Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh
