With the third test of the 'Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy' imminent and fast approaching, all the drama and talks shift towards London. India's scintillating win at Edgbaston, Birmingham, evened out England's record chase at Headingley, Leeds. The series now stands level at 1-1, with the third game slated to be played at the 'Home of Cricket', Lord's, from Thursday, 10th July. There is only a three-day gap between the end of the second test and the start of the third. With two intensely-fought games already over, little turnaround between the current fixtures, and a bit of travelling involved from the English Midlands to the south, in London, teams might consider changes in the playing personnel. 

With everyone getting sufficient game time in the first two tests, the management, now, might consider playing those based on recent form, strategies, tactics, and those who sat out at Edgbaston courtesy of workload management. Keeping all these scenarios in consideration, teams might be tempted to ring in a few potential changes in the playing XI that takes the field at Lord's. With the venue having historically favoured fast bowlers, as is the case at any ground in England, bolstering the pace battery is an imperative. The slope there adds a unique dimension, with the bowlers preferring to bowl from the end that gets the geography into play, thus enabling them to make the best use of the conditions. The dry English summer, this time around, has left little scope for grass and moisture on the pitch. These circumstances have drastically brought the spinners into the picture much earlier than they used to in the past, on English soil. 

See Also:- ENG vs IND 2025: Brendon McCullum reveals pitch preferences ahead of 3rd Test at Lord’s

Jasprit Bumrah likely to return for third Test at Lord's

Conditions and venue depending, Washington Sundar might make way for the Chinaman bowler, Kuldeep Yadav. The latter is a genuine wicket-taking option and has historically gotten under the skin of the English batters with his subtle variations. His leg spin, googlies, and flippers have proven to disguise and fox the opposition batters. His inclusion may weaken India's batting a bit, but surely won't let the Englishmen break free in terms of their run-scoring.

Jasprit Bumrah is a certainty to take the new ball for India at Lord's, and his return was confirmed by the skipper, Shubman Gill, in the post-match presentation at Edgbaston. Prasidh Krishna's place is likely to be taken away to create space for the number one-ranked test bowler in the International Cricket Council's (ICC) rankings. Sai Sudarshan might, again, have to wait for his turn as Karun Nair is expected to hold the number three spot despite his average returns so far. Nitish Kumar Reddy shall get another go at Lord's and would be expected to play the all-rounder role better than the last match, batting with the tail, and bowling some crucial overs. 

Stuart Broad said, "this Indian bowling attack would worry me if I was in that England batting lineup". (Sky Sports). pic.twitter.com/C229JMXocy

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) July 8, 2025

India's probable playing XI for the third test: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Karun Nair, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (vc), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep. 

Commonly referred to as "The Home of Cricket", Lord’s Cricket Ground in London is rich in custom and history. It was founded in 1814, but an important note is the context in which some of cricket's greatest moments were produced. But what really makes Lord's stand out, aside from its tradition, the pavilion or the honours board for example, is its slope.

The slope at Lord's goes from the north-west to the south-east corner of the ground with a slight gradient of approximately. 2.5 metres (8 feet) across the playing surface. While it may not look like an excessive slope, this makes a difference in match proceedings. For seam and swing bowlers, it makes a renewed sense of variability and unpredictability on a pitch, and enables the bowler to have the same ball move in a given direction because of the slope. For instance, when a right-arm bowler bowls from the Pavilion End, the slope allows the ball to move inwards, or conversely, with the slope, outwards in the right-handed batter's perspective of the slope (the reverse for lefties).

See Also: Shocking photo comes out from Lord's ahead of ENG vs IND 3rd Test

Batters will have an extra amount of adaptation. It can be more difficult to gauge movement, particularly for those with no previous knowledge of the conditions. The slope also affects field placements and captains need to be tactical when selecting ends for their bowlers. Spinners can also feel some subtle effects, particularly with drift and bounce.

India and England are levelled at 1-1

The Anderson-Gavaskar Trophy now heads to the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground, with the five-match series level at 1-1 following India’s emphatic 336-run victory at Edgbaston. This win marked India's first triumph at the venue in 58 years and came in the absence of their ace pacer, Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah will, however, return for the all-important third Test at Lord’s. Having a bowler of Bumrah’s caliber back in the side will help boost India’s bowling attack when they go back to a venue that was the site of one of their most memorable Test wins, a 151-run victory during their 2021 tour of England.

Meanwhile, England’s team management, still reeling from their heavy defeat in the second Test, is reportedly hoping for a pitch that favours fast bowlers at Lord's. The hosts had taken a 1-0 lead in the series with a five-wicket win at Headingley, but the crushing loss at Edgbaston has raised concerns. As both teams gear up for the third Test, conditions and team combinations will be under close scrutiny. With momentum now in India’s favour and Bumrah back in the mix, Lord’s is set to host a high-stakes encounter that could tilt the series decisively in one team's favour.

Virat Kohli, the cricket legend, and Novak Djokovic, the tennis legend have created a re,spect across sports and frequently appreciate each other's sport accomplishments, because both are outstanding competitors and dedicate and dominate their sport. Kohli, a recently retired test player, was seen at Wimbledon 2025 with his wife Anushka Sharma. The couple cheered for Djokovic as he secured a four-set win over 11th seed Alex de Minaur on July 7. The moment highlighted the enduring admiration Kohli holds for Djokovic and their continuing camaraderie.

See Also: Novak Djokovic responds to Virat Kohli's Instagram story After Kohli Shows Support at Wimbledon 2025

Over the years, Kohli and Djokovic have publicly acknowledged each other, creating memorable interactions across sports. Their conversations on social media, interviews and other engagements have demonstrated true admiration and respect. Kohli even posted an Instagram Story after Djokovic won Wimbledon, writing, “business as usual for the (tennis) legend." Djokovic thanked Kohli and shared the post again, showing their friendship. From cross-sport inspiration to shared values of fitness and mental strength, their connection is a friendship built via excellence and mutual understanding. Here are five times when we witnessed Virat Kohli and Novak Djokovic show mutual respect for one another;

ODI World Cup 2023

Virat Kohli made history during the 2023 ODI World Cup held in India when he passed Sachin Tendulkar's record of 49 ODI centuries. Kohli was able to do this in the semi-final against New Zealand on his home ground of Wankhede Stadium, where he scored a brilliant 117. With that innings, he became the first player to score 50 ODI centuries and thus changed the course of cricket history.

The occasion was celebrated globally, including through Serbian tennis great Novak Djokovic, who was recognized as a great athlete in his own right. Djokovic acknowledged Kohli in a social media congratulatory post and posted a story on Instagram as part of Kohli's accomplishments. Novak Djokovic expressed the mutual respect and appreciation for Kohli and it is obviously appreciated from Kohli's side, given he has achieved this with millions of fans.

Djokovic's Instagram story for Virat Kohli. This is what we talk about when we say globally recognition.🐐 pic.twitter.com/U6H4f8ximG

— Yashvi (@BreatheKohli) November 15, 2023

IND vs AFG 2024

During Afghanistan’s tour of India in 2024, Virat Kohli shared a fascinating anecdote about connecting with Novak Djokovic. Kohli did a recent interview shared by the BCCI on X, where he stated he contacted Djokovic to congratulate him on his unique lottery of accomplishments, underlining their mutual respect and appreciation as two sporting legends.

"There's been a mutual admiration, respect, and really nice to connect. I have a lot of respect for him, his journey, his passion for fitness, there's lot toconnect on," he had said.

𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲

Virat Kohli 🤝 Novak Djokovic

Two 🐐 🐐, one special bond 💙

Virat Kohli shares the story about his newest "text buddy" 👌👌 - By @ameyatilak#TeamIndia | @imVkohli | @DjokerNole | @AustralianOpen

𝙋.𝙎. - "Hey Novak 👋 - Good luck at AO" pic.twitter.com/PEPQnydwJB

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 14, 2024

Australian Open 2024

During the Australian Open 2024, Novak Djokovic spoke about his bond with Indian cricket star Virat Kohli. He shared insights into their mutual respect and admiration, revealing that they have exchanged messages and supported each other’s careers over the years. Djokovic acknowledged the connection they’ve built despite coming from different sports, calling it a friendship rooted in shared passion and discipline.

"Virat Kohli and I have been texting a little bit for a few years and we never got the chance to meet in person but it was really a privilege and honor to listen to him to speak nicely about me. I obviously admire all of his career and achievements and everything he has done," Djokovic had said in an interview with Sony Sports.

"I have great relationship with all the names that you mentioned and Virat Kohli and I have been texting a little bit for a few Years"

Novak Djokovic on his friendship with Virat Kohli 🐐×🐐 pic.twitter.com/JmTZtHpNYu

— Gaurav (@Melbourne__82) January 13, 2024

Test Retirement

Novak Djokovic instagram story on
Virat Kohli's Test retirement. 🤍#ViratKohli𓃵 #Testcricket pic.twitter.com/OuJ6ZptwOE

— Akshat Om (@AkshatOM10) May 12, 2025

When Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket through an emotional Instagram post, the news quickly garnered widespread attention. Tributes and heartfelt messages poured in from fans and fellow cricketers, recognising his incredible contribution to the longest format of the game.

Tennis legend Novak Djokovic was one of many who congratulated Kohli, even posted an Instagram story honoring Kohli's achievements and legacy in Test cricket. The shared admiration between these two sporting greats connected the sports of cricket and tennis together.

Wimbledon 2025

As Novak Djokovic took out 11th seed Alex de Minaur at Wimbledon 2025, seeing Virat Kohli in attendance, he shared a story on his Instagram with the moment. Kohli congratulated Djokovic on an impressive win, while also giving an insight to their friendship and mutual respect as a cricket legend to a tennis legend.

"What a match. It was business as usual for the gladiator," Kohli wrote and tagged Djokovic as well.

Virat Kohli with some words for Novak Djokovic. 🐐💪🏻 pic.twitter.com/n24ntjxlb4

— Danny 🐊 (@DjokovicFan_) July 7, 2025

Workload management is a very contentious topic in the Indian cricket circuit, and an issue that has led to some of the most baffling selection decisions in recent times. With cricket being played all year-round, across levels and formats, players hardly get time for rest and recovery. This packed schedule has cramped and made them injury-prone. There have been several instances of feeling burnt out among the players, particularly fast bowlers, due to the strenuous number of overs they are required to bowl in variable conditions. With the ongoing five-match test series between England and India for the 'Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy', the selectors and team management are faced with the difficult task of managing the loads of the Indian quicks. Their work has been exacerbated because of both tests, played out so far, ending late on day five. 

With a short turnaround of only three days between the second and third test, slated to be played at the iconic 'Home of Cricket', Lord's, from 10th July, it might be tempting for the coaching staff to ponder resting players who have had the maximum workout in the first two tests. One name that might stand out in this case is that of Mohammed Siraj. The Indian pace sensation is a literal workhorse and never lets his intensity drop a bit at any moment in the match. Bowling every time with all his heart, the Hyderabadi pacer is every captain's dream and go-to bowler. His exuberance reflects in his bowling, and that makes things happen even on the most placid of pitches.

Having featured in both of the tests so far, Siraj took the bowling leadership role in the second one at Edgbaston, Birmingham, in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. He produced a stunning display, struck six times in the first innings, at important moments, and never let the momentum drift towards England. Nicknamed 'Mia', Siraj stepped up and finished with figures of 6/70 that included the wickets of big fish in Joe Root and the opposition skipper, Ben Stokes. With this remarkable feat, he now boasts third third-best bowling figures by a visiting player at the venue.

See Also: Mohammed Siraj rates top three Test matches of his Test career, surprising picks

Going through a purple patch at the moment, the team management faces a peculiar dilemma over Siraj. The character in him would not want to take a break from the Lord's test and instead pair up with Bumrah once again to unleash fire on England. The latter was rested from the second test for similar reasons and is now definitely in line for a return in the starting XI come Thursday. Having mentioned all, it might still prompt the management to consider resting Siraj and perhaps risk weakening the bowling arsenal. However, in the long term, rests like these shall certainly aid the lion-hearted bowler in prolonging his career. A look at the series statistics of the Indian quicks, so far, might help comprehend the impact of each one of them, and thus, the consequences of resting them. 

Whatever the decision, and then the subsequent changes in the playing XI for the upcoming test, India boasts a pace battery unlike any other team. With players like Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana waiting on the fringes, the bowling attack looks sorted and potent. Also, there is no big series after this one, so the management and players might want to give it all and produce the best cricketing stuff. This would not only position and enable India to win a test series in England after 2007, but also mean a noble start in this new World Test Championship (WTC) Cycle 2025-27. 

He begged for another opportunity, and he got it. But can he survive the grind of international cricket? The Indian team management relied on Karun Nair in back-to-back tests in the ongoing tour against England. In the first test of the five-match series, Nair played in the lower batting order so that with his experience he could stabilize the innings.

Proving all possibilities wrong, Nair departed for 0 and 20 runs in the first and second innings, respectively. England won the match by chasing a mammoth 371-run target. Head coach Gautam Gambhir led the coaching staff, and management went back to the chalkboard to find out the mistakes they made in Leeds. He decided to drop young Sai Sudharsan, who batted at number 3 in the first game, and promoted Nair to that position, where in the past, Rahul Dravid and Cheteshwar Pujara built their careers.

After tons of runs and multiple three-digit scores, Nair's technical abilities are beyond questionable. But the level of domestic cricket and international cricket is completely different. Apart from the 303-run innings, the batter's rest of the Test career is largely covered with disappointments. 

Read More: WATCH: Rishabh Pant's bat goes flying in air during ENG vs IND 2nd Test

Karun Nair's Test career, including ENG vs IND 2nd Test, 2025:

1. 4 and DNB vs. England, 2016 (H)

2. 13 vs. England, 2016 (H)

3. 303* vs England, 2016 (H)

4. 26 and 0 vs. Australia, 2017 (H)

5. 23 vs. Australia, 2017 (H)

6. 5 and DNB vs. Australia, 2017 (H)

7. 0 and 20 vs. England, 2025 (A)

8. 31 and 26 vs. England, 2025 (A)

If we take the triple hundred out of the equation, the Rajasthan-born batter's highest score so far is 31, which came in the ongoing match in Birmingham. Another notable thing is that most of the matches he played in the Whites were home games, under familiar conditions. 

Should Karun Nair get another chance to prove himself?

Nair now not only fights with the English conditions and the opposition bowlers but also with his age; he is now 33. After the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test cricket, the board (BCCI) needs someone who can serve the team for a long period. Karun, well past his young age and probably his career's prime time, may not be a suitable option to be placed in the team as part of a long-term project. 

The scenario or the discussion could be different if he were able to get the best results in the ongoing series. The underwhelming numbers and performances from the batter can clearly show why the team selectors did not prefer the Rajasthan-born for the international side. After four underperformed knocks, Nair's future in the team can be under review, this time with proper explanations. 

A promising start ended in disappointment. Team India could've easily won the first of the five-match Test series against England. Due to multiple reasons—collapse in lower batting order, poor fielding, and inappropriate back-up for Jasprit Bumrah—India lost the Headingley Test. What will they need to do to bounce back in the second Test (July 2-July 6) in Edgbaston, Birmingham? From July 2 to July 6, days are allocated for the second test; the forecast for rain is already on the table. As the pitch of Edgbaston can be a little bit unpredictable, like the weather, tossing can take a crucial role. But the decisive factor will be how the team performs.

KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant were the four pillars to shape both innings in Headingley. Apart from these four batters, at least another batsman needs to take a step forward. Number 3, where Sai Sudharsan was positioned during the first match of the series, definitely deserves to generate more numbers. But the main focus can be after number 4 or number 5. Because India's batting line-up staggered after the departures of the top 4 or 5 batters. Karun Nair, batting at number 6, misread the situation and couldn't perform according to that. So, if the team loses multiple top- or middle-order wickets, then the batter comes to the crease at number 6 or 7, needs to understand his situation, and should have a clear view in mind of how to bat under such situations. Nair, 33, was probably not clear about his role in both Innings in Leeds. 

Jasprit Bumrah is undoubtedly the best pacer Team India has right now. But the other bowlers in the squad too have the talent and skill set to shine in English conditions. Like the batting part, bowlers also have to understand the situation and the team looking for them to deliver. For a limited overs match, a one-man show can shift the momentum of the match, but in Test, cricketers have to show resilience and temperament. In the last match, Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj produced some exciting spells, but those were not in a continuous form. Bumrah's ability to maintain his rhythm with a proper mindset makes him more lethal. Bowlers need to create traps to capture the opponent team's batters. Creating a trap can take more than an over through variations of swings and choosing proper line and length; it depends on the credibility of the batsman and the bowler equally. 

Read More: Ravichandran Ashwin questions Gautam Gambhir and Shubman Gill's focus on taking 20 wickets

The result of the Headingley Test could be different if India utilized all of their fielding chances. Multiple drop catches can be avoided through practice and focus. As per previous reports, Captain Shubman Gill and his boys had worked on their fielding skills for multiple days to overcome their uncanny mistakes while fielding. 

Four points Team India should maintain to win the 2nd Test:

1) Understand the situation. 

2) Resilience 

3) Self-confidence 

4) Vision 

The above-mentioned four points can be applied to every department. Understanding the situation, like the form of the batters or bowlers, the scoreboard, the behavior of the surface, and the nature, will have to be understood through ball knowledge. Advice from the senior players like KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, and Jasprit Bumrah can be useful for the young guns like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan. 

Test cricket also tests a player's mind; the game combined with techniques and skills can be turned into a mind game. Rahul, Gill, Jaiswal, Pant, and Bumrah got individual success in Leeds because of their resilience. 

Over the years India emerged as one of the teams which contained multiple world class fielders. But the way they performed in Headingley, especially Jaiswal, that was out of the equation. Extreme pressure can force even a worldclass player to make mistakes. For the ongoing England series, BCCI formed a new look Team India with multiple young players. They have to learn how to maintain their self confidence, no matter what the situation is. 

Example: 

For example, Ben Duckett. He came and understood the situation first. With his resilience, he remained on the track and produced sweep shots when he was confident enough about his game. Duckett's match-winning innings was a combination of understanding the situation, showing resilience, making himself confident, and having a clear vision in mind. The 149-run Innings by the 30-year-old opener helped the host team to chase down a mammoth 371-run target. 

Five Most Loved Sports in the World

Now a days, Sports are loving by every where. They gather friends and families, make us cheer and leave us players to worship or stare at and success or failure to emulate. Without further ado, let me show you the top 5 sports according to fans around the world.

1. Football (Soccer)

Football is the most popular sport in the world. It’s followed by more than 4 billion people! It is played all over, in small villages and big cities. All you need is a ball. That’s how it goes with big events, like say, the FIFA World Cup: entire nations stop. Teams like Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United have followers from countries across the world. It’s the most accessible sport to play and to watch, and that’s why so many people love it.

 
2. Cricket: The World’s Second Most Popular Sport with Over 2.5 Billion Fans

Cricket is not just a game it’s a big part of life for many people. It started in England a long time ago and spread to many countries when the British ruled them. Today, cricket is huge in South Asia. India alone has over a billion fans. When India plays Pakistan, everyone stops what they’re doing to watch.

Test matches last five days and are slow and thoughtful,One-Day matches (ODIs) take about 8 hours and T20 matches are fast and fun, lasting around 3 hours.

🚨 CRICKET IS 2ND MOST POPULAR SPORTS IN THE WORLD 🚨

- Cricket now has Over 2.5 Billion fans in the World. (World Atlas). pic.twitter.com/oIKzBVD5sd

— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) July 1, 2025

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the biggest sports leagues in the world. It’s colorful, loud, and feels like a big party every game. Cricket brings people together. Families and friends watch matches, celebrate wins, and remember big moments for years. In many places, it’s more than a sport it’s part of who they are.

3. Basketball

No that’s roughly 2 billion basketball fans. It is huge in the US, China, Philippines and many other countries. It’s fast and exciting. You can play it in cramped quarters, on the street or in gyms. The NBA can be football’s imposing older brother, with luminaries like LeBron James and Stephen Curry recognized everywhere. People love basketball because it is so easy to play and enjoyable to watch.

4. Hockey

Hockey: Hockey is loved in two ways: field hockey and ice hockey. Together they boast a fanbase of around 2 billion. Field hockey is widely followed in India, Pakistan, Netherlands, and Australia.
Ice hockey Another bigee in Canada, US, Russia and some parts of Europe. Both types of hockey are played in big tournaments and who have loyal fans who shout loudly to support their teams.

5. Tennis

Tennis has more than 1 billion fans across the globe. It is played all over, I parks, schools, clubs. Wimbledon, the US Open , the French Open and the AustralianOpen attract large audiences for big matches. Athletes like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Serena Williams are household names everywhere. Tennis is a favorite sport for a lot of people to participate in as well as watch. These five sports is most like in the world. They unite people, generate incredible moments, and provide something to root for. Whether you happen to be a football, cricket, basketball, hockey or tennis fan, there’s always a reason to play, watch and party.

Team India is gearing up to face England in the second Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series on Wednesday, July 2, at Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham. England currently holds a 1-0 lead in the five-match series after clinching the opening Test at Headingley by five wickets. Interestingly, Edgbaston was the venue for the rescheduled fifth Test of India’s last tour of England, which originally was supposed to take place in Manchester in September 2021 but was postponed due to COVID-19. That Test was eventually held between July 1 and 5, 2022.

In the rescheduled match, England captain Ben Stokes chose to chase the runs after winning the toss. India lost five wickets for just 98 runs, leading to a successful fightback spearheaded by Rishabh Pant, whose explosive 146 came off just 111 balls. Ravindra Jadeja scored 104, just as explosively, and together they shared 222 runs for the sixth wicket, which propelled India to 416 in their first innings. James Anderson took five wickets for England as India batted first.

See Also: Another allegation on RCB star: Yash Dayal "Used Money, Fame And Power To Cover-Up" harassment case

Following India's first innings, England's first innings did not go based on their fourth innings target and fell prey to India's bowlers, being limited to 284 runs, where India took a first innings lead of 132 runs. Mohammed Siraj was the top performer with the ball for India with magnificent bowling figures of 4/66, whilst Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami claimed 3 and 2 wickets respectively for their team. 

England chased comfortably at the end

In the second innings, Cheteshwar Pujara and Rishabh Pant scored half-centuries, helping the team reach 245 before being bowled out. Ben Stokes showcased his bowling prowess, taking four wickets for the hosts and keeping India within reach. England faced a daunting target of 378 runs but got off to a blazing start thanks to openers Alex Lees and Zak Crawley, who put on a 107-run stand. India fought back, reducing England to 109/3, giving themselves a chance to seal the series. However, Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow dashed those hopes with a record-breaking unbeaten 269-run partnership. Root remained unbeaten on 142 while Bairstow scored 114*, leading England to a memorable seven-wicket win and leveling the 2021–22 series 2-2.

As India prepares to return to Edgbaston for the second Test of the current series, their track record at the venue does not inspire confidence. The Indian team has played eight Test matches at Edgbaston, losing seven of them. The only match that didn’t end in defeat was a draw back in 1986. With history not on their side, India will look to break the jinx and bounce back strong to level the series.

Ace Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah is expected to be rested for the second Test against England to manage his workload. The five-match Test series continues with the second game scheduled to begin on Wednesday, July 2, at Edgbaston in Birmingham. Bumrah was a key player in the first Test at Headingley, claiming five wickets in the first innings. It was a done decision before the series that he would only play three of the five matches for fitness reasons.

India suffered a five-wicket defeat in the first Test as England successfully chased 371 runs on the final day. With Bumrah possibly sitting out the second Test, India will need to rethink their bowling combination. Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna are likely to retain their places after playing in the first Test. The team management will have to select a suitable replacement from the reserve fast bowlers, who have been traveling with the squad.

See Also: Out of self realisation Rishabh Pant uninstalled WhatsApp and switched off phone

Of the options, Arshdeep Singh and Akash Deep are probably the leading candidates to take Bumrah's place. Both pacers are relatively untested at Test level, but they have demonstrated good performances in domestic and A-team cricket. Ultimately, it could come down to conditions at Edgbaston and the team's overall plan. Whether India goes for Arshdeep's left-arm variation or Akash Deep's consistency and pace remains to be seen.

Arshdeep making debut?

Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh, who received his maiden Test call-up, is yet to debut in the format for India. Despite this, he holds an impressive first-class record with 66 wickets from 21 matches. Arshdeep also got some experience playing County Cricket for Kent in 2023 and picked up 13 wickets in the five County Championship games. His ability to swing the ball both ways makes him a genuine threat, especially up against in-form English opening batsmen like Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett with the new ball.

If selected to replace Jasprit Bumrah for the second Test, Arshdeep could add an attacking dimension. As a left-armer, he would complement the pace attack and offers some differences to England’s top-order, who are set to face an extra pace bowler. As a bowler who performs well in limited-overs cricket, Arshdeep will be trying to show what he can do in red-ball cricket, and the second Test would be an ideal opportunity for him to showcase his abilities and earn his Test cap.

Comeback for Akash Deep

Akash Deep, as opposed to Arshdeep Singh, has already made his Test debut after playing seven matches for India. He captured 15 wickets at an average of 35.20, having made his debut against England in Ranchi in 2024. Akash Deep started well in his first match, taking three wickets, but has since had a mixed bag of performances. He still has a good action and is a competent seam bowler who can make the ball move sideways and is a potential threat to batters in the right conditions.

He also has the added benefit of overseas experience, having played two Tests on India's prior tour of Australia, in which Akash Deep took five wickets, at an average of 54 and an economy rate of 3.46. Nevertheless, at first-class level, he has a decent record already: 128 wickets in 38 matches at an average of 24.19. If India opts for someone with prior Test experience to replace Bumrah, Akash Deep could be a reliable choice.

Cricketwinner's pick will be Arshdeep Singh, making his debut against England in the second Test

While both Arshdeep and Akash Deep are viable options to replace Jasprit Bumrah, given their strengths, Arshdeep appears to hold the edge over his teammate in case the need arises. Given India already have three right-arm fast bowlers in Siraj, Prasidh, and Shardul Thakur, Arshdeep being a left-arm pacer brings a different angle and option that captain Shubman Gill can look up to. 

India struggled to pick up wickets when Bumrah did not fire, which also puts Arshdeep slightly ahead of Akash Deep as an attacking and wicket-taking option given the style of cricket the English batters have been playing with.

BCCI's move will surely provide fairness to children and also address the problems related to the authenticity of bone tests. Until now, girls aged between 12-15 years and boys aged between 14-16 years were screened for such tests before they could play in BCCI-organised age group competitions.

What is Bone Test in Cricket ?

The BCCI has made a plan to verify the 'bone age' through X-rays and add an additional year to it. This age will determine if the child is eligible to play. If a kid's bone age comes out as 14.8, the BCCI would adjust it to 15.8 which will make that kid eligible to play at the under-16 age group. On the other hand, he/she won't be able to play in the next season even if his/her real age is under 16.

This process won't be the same anymore as with the new change, if a player is still under the cutoff age as per documents, he/she can undergo a second bone test. If the player managed to pass this test, he/she can play in the age category.

These new steps highlight the popular belief. Bone tests have emerged as a game-changer due to their scientific reasons; they aren't accurate. The second test provides a level playing field for those who weren't satisfied with the first test.

Also Read:BCCI 2025–26: Ranji Trophy from Oct 15, T20 Knockouts Get New Format

Need for current changes 

Junior Cricket has faced age fraud for some years now, and there have been instances when parents themselves sent their younger child for bone tests to avoid being caught.

Higher-ups managed to nip this menace in the bud and made strict changes. Aadhar cards are now compulsory with new photographs, even before a child undergoes an X-ray.

How does BCCI's bone test functions?

BCCI officials visit state associations every year in the months of July and August to carry out the bone tests. There is a period for every State and players undergo bone testing at hospitals. In every state, 40-50 boys and 20-25 girls undergo the test. After the implementation of the new rule, players are given another chance without being unfair, and also, the cheats will be caught. Cricketers who might not have made it due to some minor error can get another while those who indulged in age fraud would be caught.