ENG vs IND 2025: What could be Team India’s ideal bowling attack for the Lord’s Test?
Neither pacers nor spinners enjoyed the first couple of Tests of the five-match series between England and India. There was hardly any help off the surface for the bowlers, who tirelessly went through the donkey work. During the second Test at Edgbaston, India finished with 587 in their first innings, followed by 407 in the second. The aggregate of the fixture was 1692 runs in 391.4 overs at a run rate of well over four.
The same scenario played out at Leeds during the opening fixture. Both teams crossed the 450-run mark in their respective first innings, while over 350 runs were scored in both second innings.
Now, here lies the issue for the Ben Stokes-led side. India took the gamble of resting their premier pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, to keep him fresh for the third Lord’s Test. But England decided to retain the same batch of bowlers, which now has drained them ahead of next week’s blockbuster.
England’s head coach, Brendon McCullum, has asked for a pitch ‘with plenty of life’ at Lord’s. He requested ‘something with a bit more pace, a bit more bounce, and maybe a little bit of sideways’ from the MCC groundman. He could be offered the same, especially with the potential return of Jofra Archer in the encounter.
That’s where India could think of bringing changes to their bowling attack. Let’s take a look at the two possible scenarios for the tourists’ bowling department.
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Jasprit Bumrah ‘definite’ to replace Prasidh Krishna at Lord’s
There is no doubt of Jasprit Bumrah returning in the Lord’s Test. And the visiting captain’s ‘definite’ answer to the question echoed the same. Prasidh Krishna is likely to make room for the Ahmedabad-born.
India were caught cold on a green seamer at this ground in 2018, where they managed 107 and 130 in the two innings. But they earned a dramatic victory three years ago at the same venue. Gill’s ‘I guess that it won’t be flat one’ shows that they would prepare differently than the first couple of weeks.
Bumrah picked up three Test wickets in the 2021 fixture at this ground, while Mohammed Siraj enjoyed eight wickets across two innings. The latter is also fresh from his six-wicket haul at Edgbaston in the ongoing series. Akash Deep, who picked up 10 wickets in Birmingham, can use the slope beautifully for the Blue Brigade.
Since June 2022, the fast bowlers’ averages have been just over 20 at this venue in the red-ball format. In seven fixtures in this period, the team batting second has won five matches in contrast to two wins for the team batting first.
That puts the entire pressure on Krishna. The Karnataka pacer has picked up only six wickets in four innings at an average of 55.16 in this series. He leaked runs at an economy rate of 5.33, making it hard for the captain to set the field.
The lanky pacer is unlikely to hold his position given Nitish Reddy could offer them a few overs as the fourth bowling option.
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Kuldeep Yadav could make appearance in London’s hot weather
Lord’s has not been a healthy ground for the spinners in the last few years, Since June 2022, when Bazball was introduced, spinners have struggled at Lord’s. Jack Leach has been the leading wicket-taker in this period. In three Test innings, he picked up five wickets but at an average of over 33.
Shoaib Bashir averages nearly 50 in two innings at this venue with two wickets. The last five-wicket haul by a spinner at this ground came in 2017, when Moeen Ali picked up six wickets. However, the summer of 2025 is different. Bashir enjoyed a nine-wicket haul at Trent Bridge on the first Test of the summer against Zimbabwe.
There is no chance of rain during the game. The temperature is expected to be around 30 degrees Celsius, which could open a few cracks for the spinners. That’s where Kuldeep Yadav could still be an option to replace Sundar as England struggle against the left-arm wrist spin. However, If India want to go with a batting heavy side, then they can keep the Tamil Nadu spin all-rounder.
After two flat surfaces and injury-hit bowlers returning, it will be a joke from the hosts to offer another batting paradise. Even if they offer a seam-friendly 22-yard, the visiting side has the confidence to cross the 350-run mark. Their bowlers are also confident after outplaying the home bowlers on a flat Edgbaston Test.
With the series leveled at 1-1, one team will carry an advantage by the end of the game. And after two flat games where the bowlers toiled hard, it’s time for the batters to turn up with their skills.
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