The third Test match between India and England is being played at the historic Lord's ground in London. The five-match Test series is currently tied at 1-1. In this match, England won the toss and chose to bat first. Jofra Archer has been added to England's playing XI, replacing Josh Tongue. For Team India, Jasprit Bumrah has returned to the playing XI, while Prasidh Krishna has been left out. Kuldeep Yadav, the left-arm spinner, has once again not been included in the team.

Earlier, the 30-year-old spinner missed the first two Tests, as the Indian team chose batting depth over his wicket-taking skill. Now, as the important third Test begins today (July 10) at Lord’s, Kuldeep’s bad luck continues, and the spinner from Uttar Pradesh will again sit on the bench.

After a big 336-run win in the last Test at Edgbaston, Team India has come into the third Test full of confidence. Indian captain Shubman Gill did not mention Kuldeep Yadav at the toss while confirming the team combination.

Also Read -WATCH: Expert panel makes surprising changes in India's playing XI ahead of ENG vs IND third Test at Lord's

Gill said, "I was confused about what to do till this morning. I would have bowled first because there is something for bowlers in the first session. Everyone helped in the last win, and that was our main talk. The bowlers are confident. It was not easy to take 20 wickets on that pitch. I feel great. As a batter, you always want to be in the middle. We have made one change — Bumrah comes in for Prasidh." (via Cricbuzz)

Archer Returns for England

On the other hand, Jofra Archer has returned to England’s playing XI, replacing Josh Tongue. England captain Ben Stokes said at the toss, "We will bat first. Usually, this pitch helps bowlers in the first hour. The team atmosphere is good, and it has been a close series. The body feels good. Everyone loves playing at Lord’s. Just one change — Archer comes in for Josh."

No Kuldeep Yadav in 3rd test..!!

Kuldeep Yadav is not playing 3rd test. Winning for test match you needs takes 20, but it's not easy in this pitches. Kuldeep is wicket taker bowler. In this series our spinner is struggling, you should play Kuldeep. pic.twitter.com/ewRPhAbUfT

— VIKAS (@Vikas662005) July 10, 2025

Team India’s Playing XI in the 3rd Test

Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Karun Nair, Gill (Captain), Rishabh Pant, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

Only a few hours to go before the third match of the current England vs. India 5-match Test series. Despite winning the 2nd match of the tour, Team India is expected to make some changes in the playing XI at Lord's. Jasprit Bumrah can make a return into the combination. Though, there is no confirmation from the Indian team management about the first line-up for the game starting tomorrow.

The cricket experts are also expecting some changes in the line-up. Former India keeper and batter Parthiv Patel shouts for Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah. Patel will love to see Yadav and Bumrah at the Lord's. He believes the duo can make some impact on the match to help the Blue Brigade.

Like Patel, another former India international, Deep Dasgupta also likes to see Kuldeep in the game. But he is not sure about the inclusion because of some drawbacks in the batting order. In the previous encounter, Karun Nair and Nitish Kumar Reddy did not create any notable threat against England. Despite batting brilliance from Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, and KL Rahul, Dasgupta reveals his concerns over India's batting performance. So, the management may not opt to include Kuldeep Yadav in the XI, predicts Deep.

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Varun Aaron trusting on pacers

Varun Aaron keeps his faith in the stats. As in Lord's, pace bowlers mostly dominate, so he chose to rely on seamers only. Aaron, in his opinion, did not mention any individual player's name. He shows his trust completely over the fast bowlers.

According to some fresh reports, the surface of Lord's for the ENG vs. IND 3rd match can get a good amount of grass so that the pacers can get some help from it, unlike the flat surface of Edgbaston, where Gill and Co. made runs for fun. 

Watch experts opinion here

Kuldeep Yadav makes it to the Playing XI at Lord’s, and the expert panel’s got thoughts!

Parthiv Patel backs the Bumrah-Kuldeep combo as a game-changer, while Deep Dasgupta & Varun Aaron believe an extra spinner could be the X-factor at the iconic venue. 🎯#ENGvIND 👉 3rd TEST… pic.twitter.com/9ZdzMc4gtL

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) July 9, 2025

One of the most effective tactical decisions India made during the Edgbaston Test against England was including Washington Sundar in place of Kuldeep Yadav. Although the choice surprised many before the match, it proved to be a smart move. Captain Shubman Gill highlighted the need for batting depth and control in spin-friendly conditions. Sundar played a vital role in India’s first innings by scoring 42 runs, adding stability to the lower order. His batting contribution ensured India posted a strong total, which put England under immense pressure early on.

In the second innings, Sundar proved his value again by dismissing England skipper Ben Stokes at a crucial moment. Gill explained that the team wanted a finger spinner who could maintain control and adapt to subcontinent-style pitch behaviour, which Sundar offered. The decision to favour control and consistency over wrist spin flair paid off, as Sundar delivered with both bat and ball. His all-round performance justified his selection, helping India gain a strategic edge and move closer to levelling the five-match Test series.

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"It is very tempting when you have a bowler like Kuldeep. One of the reasons why I wanted to play Washington was because he gives us batting depth. In the first innings, I think the partnership between me and Washington, if it wasn't for that partnership, then our lead would have been 70-80-90 runs, which is psychologically very different from 180,” Gill told during the post-match press conference.

Now we will see what kind of wicket they are giving at Lord's: Shubman Gill

"Even on Day 5, the ball was not moving that much from the middle, it was just moving through the roughness. We thought that maybe if our first batting comes, then maybe on a 5th day wicket, the finger spinner will give us more control if the ball is moving from the wicket and especially on such wickets, sometimes more than fast bowling, the spin gives you more control. So that was our mindset, but now we will see what kind of wicket they are giving at Lord's,"  Gill added.

Shubman Gill explained that even on Day 5, the ball wasn't moving significantly from the center of the pitch but was instead deviating from the rough areas. He said that the team believed if they batted first, a finger spinner would offer better control on a fifth-day surface where spin could be more effective than pace. Gill stated this was the reasoning behind the decision and concluded by saying that the team would assess the pitch conditions at Lord’s before making their selection for the third Test.

The build-up to the second Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy was filled with speculation over Kuldeep Yadav’s inclusion, but the suspense ended when Indian captain Shubman Gill confirmed at the toss that the left-arm spinner would not be part of the playing XI. The second Test at Edgbaston, starting today (July 2), sees India once again opting for a different combination despite a five-wicket loss in the Leeds series opener, where they played just one spinner—Ravindra Jadeja—alongside four pacers. Kuldeep has an impressive record against England in Tests, with 21 wickets in six matches at an average of 22.28, but his only Test appearance in England remains the 2018 Lord’s game during India’s 1-4 series defeat.

Gill admitted they were tempted to include Kuldeep but instead chose to bolster the batting lineup. "Three changes—Reddy (Nitish), Washi (Sundar), and Akash Deep come in. No Bumrah. Just to manage his workload. Third Test being at Lord's, we think there'll be more in that pitch so we'll use him there. We were tempted to play Kuldeep but decided to add some depth to the batting," he said at the toss (via Cricbuzz). He added, “We wanted to strengthen our batting, and that is why Sundar is included in the team.” The veteran spinner also missed the first Test of the previous England series at home, where India lost in Hyderabad, only for Kuldeep to come back with 19 wickets in the remaining four matches, helping India overturn a 0-1 deficit into a 4-1 series win.

Despite his consistent performances, India has decided to leave Kuldeep once again. His last Test for India was against New Zealand in October 2024 in Bengaluru, where he took three wickets in the first innings and did not take a wicket in the second innings. India lost that match by eight wickets, and Kuldeep was then dropped for the next two Tests. A subsequent injury kept him out of the Australian Test tour as well.

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

Kuldeep's Continued Test Snub Despite Strong Record

India's performance without Kuldeep has been lackluster, having lost six of their last eight Tests since the Bengaluru fixture. Despite an outstanding Test average of 22.16, which includes four five-wicket hauls, the 30-year-old has featured in just 13 Test matches since making his debut in 2017. Over seven years, Kuldeep’s red-ball career has been marked more by his absence than his inclusion, raising questions about India's strategy in Tests, particularly overseas.

India are likely to make a few changes for the second Test against England at Edgbaston after their defeat in the series opener. While Jasprit Bumrah's potential rest was a big talking point, much of the attention during Monday’s net session revolved around younger players getting more involved—especially Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate’s comments added more weight to the speculation, offering subtle but significant hints about India’s possible playing XI for the crucial match starting Wednesday.

There was particular intrigue around Nitish Reddy’s role. A whiteboard at the nets reportedly had his name at the top, slotted as a frontline option alongside key batters. Reddy was also seen fielding in the slip cordon with senior batters and bowling later in the nets. Shardul Thakur, on the other hand, had a quieter session—a possible sign that he might be left out. Doeschate hinted that Reddy was now close to making his Test debut, especially as India looked to bolster their lower-order batting after two collapses in the first Test.

Washington Sundar was another name that drew attention. He bowled for a significant period with Jadeja and Kuldeep, facing top-order batters in the process. But more notably, he had an extended and intense batting session afterward, suggesting India is considering his all-round value. The assistant coach confirmed that two spinners would likely play, but the final combination remained undecided.

Assistant Coach Opens Up on Selection Dilemmas and Player Readiness

On Nitish Reddy’s chances, Ryan ten Doeschate said:
“Nitish is very close to getting a game. Obviously, he was fantastic in Australia. Coming into the team and playing the way he did. We just felt, on balance, for the last game, we wanted to go with the bowling all-rounder, which we thought Shardul was slightly ahead on the bowling front. We’re looking at ways of rejigging the puzzle so we can get a batting all-rounder in. And obviously, Nitish is our premium batting all-rounder at the moment. So I would say it’s a very good chance to play this Test.”

On Washington Sundar, he added:
“There is a very strong chance of playing two spinners. It’s just which two we play. All three spinners are bowling very nicely, while Washy is batting very nicely. So it is just about what combination. Do we go with an all-rounder spinner or a spinner? Then obviously you have to play the bowling all-rounder. So there are so many different variables. The wicket’s got 11mm grass on the pitch at the moment, but it is quite dry underneath, and there’s also rain forecast for Wednesday. So again, we are trying to weigh the two options attacking-wise. But I’m pretty sure two spinners will play in this Test match.”

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Regarding Jasprit Bumrah, ten Doeschate clarified that while the pacer was available, a decision hadn’t yet been made.
“Technically he’s available, but we haven’t made a decision whether he’s going to play or not. Given conditions and workload and how we think we can best manage the next 4 Tests, we haven’t made a call on that. If we feel there’s value in playing him in this Test, we’ll make that call at the very last minute. Depending on the weather and how the pitch is going to play, we will decide if it is better off holding him back for Lord’s, Manchester, or the Oval. We feel we can go 1-1 or keep the score at 1-0 without Jasprit. And then again, that’s putting the eggs in the basket for the end of the series. We’re going to need them at some stage as well. You’ve got to decide when you’re going to play your strongest suits. And that’s what I was talking about, about the weather and all that.”

Lastly, on Kuldeep Yadav, he said:
“We’re desperate. It would have been nice to have spin in the last game. Also, we’re trying to make the best assessment of what we see in front of us. So we know we’re going to need three seamers in this game. And it’s just how you manage No. 6, 7, and 8 in batting. And we need to see whether we can fit Kuldeep in now or save him for later in the series. If the weather stays like I said, it should turn somewhere along the line.”

India’s left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav is drawing inspiration from a rather unexpected source as he eyes a return to the Test arena – England great Kevin Pietersen. Ahead of the crucial second Test against England at Edgbaston, Kuldeep opened up about how a conversation with Pietersen during this year’s IPL could shape his red-ball comeback. The 30-year-old, who last played a Test in October against New Zealand and hasn’t featured in an overseas red-ball game since 2018, is in contention with India considering rotating key pacer Jasprit Bumrah due to a lingering back issue.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Kuldeep revealed how Pietersen, who was part of the Delhi Capitals support group this season, gave him a fresh perspective on bowling in English conditions. “Pietersen said that generally spinners come to England with a defensive mindset,” Kuldeep said. “They think that in England, fast bowlers will get wickets and they will be in a supporting role. He told me to take the field with an attacking mindset.”

Kuldeep banks on Pietersen’s advice and attacking mindset for potential Test recall

According to Kuldeep, Pietersen walked him through the nuances of English pitches, opposition batters, and field placements, emphasizing the need to think wickets – even in a traditionally seam-dominated environment.

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Kuldeep’s red-ball numbers support his case. In 13 Tests, he has picked up 56 wickets at an impressive average of 22.16 – but has often found himself on the fringes due to India’s wealth of spin options and his more consistent appearances in white-ball formats. His role in India’s title-winning campaigns at the 2024 T20 World Cup and this year’s Champions Trophy highlighted his big-match temperament.

“Bowling is the only thing I know,” Kuldeep said with typical honesty. “If you don’t take wickets, you can’t justify yourself for playing in England.” While Kuldeep’s Test opportunities have been few and far between, his unique skill set – featuring sharp turn, deceptive flight, and subtle drift – could offer India a valuable point of difference against a fearless England batting lineup.

If Bumrah is indeed rested, Kuldeep could form part of a spin-heavy attack, with the team hoping the left-armer can use Pietersen’s advice – and his own attacking instincts – to tilt the balance in India’s favour. The five-match series stands delicately poised, and India will be hoping that Kuldeep, should he get the nod, can spin his way into the contest – and the headlines.

Former England spinner Monty Panesar suggested Team India include Yadav in the playing XI for the second Test match of the ongoing five-match Test series. After suffering a heartbreaking defeat in Headingley, the team management of India should consider some shuffle in their playing combination, opined Panesar.

The former international shouts for Kuldeep Yadav to consider him for the second Test, which is scheduled to happen in Edgbaston. Unlike Headingley, the surface of Edgbaston is known for spin-friendly behavior. Keeping that character of the wicket in mind, Panesar wants to see Yadav playing the next assignment.

"At Edgbaston, India could probably play (Ravindra) Jadeja and could actually go for the X-factor spinner in Kuldeep Yadav. We know that the Edgbaston wicket does turn a little bit. So, you have that bit of an X-factor, which I think would be a better option. There's something about him. He doesn't need turning tracks. This IPL showed that even without exaggerated turn, he can bowl tough lines that make life difficult for batters," Panesar stated in a media conversation.

Read More: [WATCH] ENG vs IND 1st Test: Yashasvi Jaiswal dances after dropping 4 catches, gets trolled online

During the conversation, the former spinner also reminded them of the numbers Kuldeep produced in the IPL 2025, which were 15 wickets in 13 innings at an economy rate of only 7.07. If India wants to include Yadav, then who'll they exclude? Pansera was a little bit skeptical about that. But, in the end, he opted for the double spinner strategy, Ravindra Jadeja with Kuldeep Yadav, Yadav in place of Shardul Thakur."

The ex-cricketer was sceptical about team selection 

"If Shardul Thakur is only going to bowl six to eight overs and not give you 15 overs in the day, there's no point in playing him. I think they need to play Kuldeep because he has more of an X factor. There's something about him. Jadeja bowls too quickly. So I think, yeah, they need to bring in Kuldeep Yadav instead of Jadeja. He becomes the main attacking option," he said. 

"I just think India won't go with that because India likes a defensive spinner. And they can then use Kuldeep because Kuldeep can't defend. He only attacks. So, if he goes the distance, then they're in deep trouble. So, I think they will probably play two spinners. Jadeja can then be the defensive guy. And then Kuldeep will be the attacking guy."

Team India's star bowler Kuldeep Yadav recently got engaged to his childhood friend Vanshika after the IPL. Many pictures from the engagement ceremony in Lucknow went viral on social media. After that, Kuldeep left for the England tour, where a 5-match Test series is set to begin from June 20.

However, Kuldeep Yadav has now deleted his engagement photos from his Instagram account. Kuldeep had shared a photo with his fiancée on Instagram, but he deleted it shortly after. Many cricketers had attended Kuldeep Yadav's engagement on June 4.

In the deleted photos, Kuldeep looked very smart in a black suit, while his fiancée wore a white gown. The neckline was also deep with a sheer panel over her cleavage. She left her hair loose with a few strands framing her face. The reason behind removing the photos is still unknown. However, people on social media are reacting strongly to this move.

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Who is Kuldeep Yadav's Girlfriend?

Vanshika, born and raised in Shyam Nagar, Lucknow, works with LIC and is not a celebrity. She and Kuldeep Yadav have known each other since childhood in Kanpur. Their long-standing friendship slowly evolved into love, culminating in their recent engagement. At the private ceremony, Kuldeep wore a cream embroidered sherwani, while Vanshika looked beautiful in an orange lehenga. They exchanged rings in front of close family and friends.

Everyone is wondering why Kuldeep Yadav deleted his engagement photos. Nowadays, many fans believe in the evil eye and often ask their favourite celebrities not to post too many romantic pictures on Instagram. But in Kuldeep’s case, the reason seems to be different. A social media user even commented that he got married for free in England using BCCI’s money.

Kuldeep’s wedding is likely to happen after the England tour, probably in November. This engagement is a big personal moment for him. Right now, he is busy preparing for India’s Test series against England, starting from June 20. Kuldeep is the only specialist spinner in the squad and has played only one Test in England before, where he bowled just nine overs.

Kuldeep Yadav uploaded this on Insta and deleted it 😭 pic.twitter.com/QMSdjvDUL3

— Aaraynsh (@aaraynsh) June 16, 2025

Experts believe that Kuldeep will be very useful in this series, especially in places like Birmingham, Lord’s, and The Oval, where spin bowling can be helpful. This five-match series will begin the new World Test Championship cycle for both India and England. The first Test will be played in Leeds on June 20. India will play under their new captain, Shubman Gill.

At present, Kuldeep is in England and training with the Indian team. His role is very important because the team does not have an experienced bowler like R. Ashwin. Also, big players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have retired before the series.

India’s 18-member squad for the England tour:

Shubman Gill (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Rishabh Pant (vice-captain and wicketkeeper), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper), Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Karun Nair, Washington Sundar, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, and Kuldeep Yadav.

The schedule for the Test series is:

1st Test: June 20-24, 2025 – Headingley, Leeds
2nd Test: July 2-6, 2025 – Edgbaston, Birmingham
3rd Test: July 10-14, 2025 – Lord’s, London
4th Test: July 23-27, 2025 – Old Trafford, Manchester
5th Test: July 31–August 4, 2025 – The Oval, London

Kuldeep Yadav was spotted in the rain-soaked alley of London with a Chennai Super Kings star ahead of the five-match Test series against England.

After an impressive individual performance in the IPL 2025, Yadav again finds himself in the squad of the Test setup and now in England, preparing for the Tests with the rest of the squad. Kuldeep, from his Instagram account, shared a picture with Team India and CSK veteran Ravindra Jadeja on a rainy day in London.

Both the players are in warm clothes and have white umbrellas, which indicates the strong bond they are sharing with each other. Kuldeep, in the recent past, has experienced some memorable instances in his career and in his personal space.

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Both of the players had a decent IPL 2025 campaign

The wrist spinner claimed 15 wickets in 14 matches in the recently concluded IPL 2025 with Delhi Capitals, though the team from Delhi couldn't go to play the play-off and ended the season as the fifth team in the points table. After the Indian Premier League campaign, he got engaged to his childhood friend Vanshika on Wednesday (June 4), marking a special moment in his personal life.

On the other hand, Jadeja individually had a decent IPL 2025 campaign, taking 10 wickets and scoring 301 runs. Team India is now under preparation for the five-match Test series, starting on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds, and India started their training on June 7. 

India vs. England Test Series 2025 Schedule:

First Test: June 20-24, Headingley (Leeds)

Second Test: July 2-6, Edgbaston (Birmingham)

Third Test: July 10-14, Lord’s (London)

Fourth Test, July 23-27, Old Trafford (Manchester)

Fifth Test: July 31-August 4, The Oval (London)

When all eyes were on the celebrations at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium around the IPL 2025 winning team Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Indian star spinner Kuldeep Yadav began a new chapter in his life.

On Wednesday, Yadav engaged his childhood friend Vanshika in a private ceremony arranged in Lucknow. The ceremony held outside most of the limelight was kept exclusive only to some of the close family members and friends.

Several cricketers, including star team India and Kolkata Knight Riders batter Rinku Singh, were invited to the ceremony. In the presence of close ones, Kuldeep and Vanshika exchanged rings and marked the new beginning of their lives.

India’s star spinner Kuldeep Yadav got engaged to his childhood friend Vanshika in a private ceremony in Lucknow today ahead of the England tour. It was a private ceremony involving family members and close friends of the couple.

Congratulations 🥂 pic.twitter.com/fy4bT78j9I

— Sanjay Kishore (@saintkishore) June 4, 2025

Read More: WATCH: Visuals from 31 cities celebrating RCB and Virat Kohli's IPL 2025 winning moment

Kuldeep experiencing a memorable time on and off the field

Vanshika has been a Yadav's close friend since childhood, and as they grew more mature, their relationship turned into love, which led them to the auspicious ceremony today in a place in Lucknow. According to media reports, Kuldeep's wife is working for LIC and was brought up at Shyam Nagar in Lucknow.

Like his personal relationship, the renowned spinner's recent performances also made headlines during the peak season of IPL 2025. The wrist spinner was in tremendous form with the Delhi Capitals, taking 15 wickets in 14 matches at a sharp economy rate of 7.08 and a bowling average of 24.07, including a best bowling figure of 3/22. The Chinaman spinner will fly to England for the 5-match Test series. Through this series a new cycle of the World Test Championship (WTC) will begin. Yadav's inclusion in the Test squad for this away series was unexpected for a part of netizens. But the numbers he has produced in recent times speak for the bowler.