Lord’s Test: Resilient India may force England to rethink strategy

England have recalled Jofra Archer, to the Lord's Test and red-ball cricket after four-and-a-half years in the only change to their playing eleven after the Edgbaston loss.

- Rasesh Mandani

Even India, who are usually cagey to share their team on match eve, have confirmed Jasprit Bumrah will return after a fortnight’s break.

That sets up what promises to be a mouthwatering showdown between the two premier fast bowlers on what is expected to be a spicier pitch than in the first two Tests. Given Archer's truncated Test career, the two pacers have only faced off twice before, in spin-friendly Indian conditions.

When Rohit Sharma announced his Test retirement before the England tour, there were genuine concerns if it would be fair to task a young captain in his first series to go head-to-head against an ultra-aggressive skipper in Ben Stokes.

Call it the capricious nature of cricket, Shubman Gill has taken to the five-match series with relish, aggregating 585 runs in the first two Tests, and it is Stokes who is left to solve probing questions from the visitors. With no fifty to show in five Tests, Stokes’ batting form is also hurting their cause.

Even tactically, India have done exceedingly well in understanding the pattern of England’s play. They were on the mark all through the Edgbaston Test and for large parts at Leeds. But for India’s unforced errors in the opening Test and England's trademark final innings run chase there, the tourists have fought tooth and nail.