Rishabh Pant reveals India will finalise their bowling combination for Lord’s Test after pitch inspection

India’s vice-captain Rishabh Pant revealed that the visitors are yet to take a call on their bowling combination for the third Test match against England at Lord’s. India played with three pacers and two spinners in the second Test at Edgbaston.

India’s gun fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is all set to return to the playing XI, in place of Prasidh Krishna. However, India would take a call on Washington Sundar’s selection after looking at the pitch on Thursday. Kuldeep Yadav is also in the squad, but India might once again back the all-rounder duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar.

Rishabh Pant said in the pre-match press conference, “The options are still open. Discussions are still going on, but whether it is 3-1 or 3-2 (three pacers-one spinner or three pacers-two spinners) we will get to know by tomorrow only. When you see the wicket, in two days sometimes the color changes. The moisture also becomes less. So we have to eventually take a call based on how the wicket is going to play.”

On the other hand, England’s ace fast bowler Jofra Archer is going to return to the Test squad after a long gap of four years. Pant said he always tries to give his 200% on the pitch and he is looking forward to the challenge of facing Archer.

Pant added, “Personally, whenever I step onto the field, I always enjoy my cricket and try to give my 200 percent. [It’s] not particularly about any individual. Yes, it’s going to be a good contest because he is also coming back after a long break. Let’s see how it goes.”

The third Test match between India and England will be played at Lord’s, London from 10th July onwards.