IND vs ENG 3rd Test Playing 11: England Announce XI for Lord’s, Jofra Archer Makes Stunning Comeback
The highly anticipated third Test of the ongoing India vs England series is set to begin at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground on Thursday. The biggest news ahead of this match is the return of England’s pace spearhead, Jofra Archer, to the playing XI. The fast bowler has been cleared to play his first Test match since February 2021.
Archer’s comeback comes at a crucial juncture in the series, which is tied at 1-1 following India’s emphatic 336-run win at Edgbaston. The English team is determined to reclaim control of the series, and the inclusion of Archer is seen as a strategic move to bolster their pace attack. IND vs ENG 3rd Test Playing 11
Jofra Archer Returns to the Test Arena
After enduring multiple injuries, including elbow surgery and stress fractures, Archer has been slowly building up his fitness through white-ball cricket and domestic appearances. This Lord’s Test marks his return to the red-ball format after a gap of more than three years. IND vs ENG 3rd Test Playing 11
England head coach Brendon McCullum voiced his excitement at having Archer back in the lineup:
“Jofra is looking fit, strong, and ready to go. He’s buzzing, and we all know what he’s capable of achieving at the highest level.”
Former pace legend James Anderson also endorsed Archer’s inclusion, stating:
“Unleash him at Lord’s. There’s no better venue for a comeback.”
Archer’s Record and Impact
In his 13-Test career so far, Archer has claimed 42 wickets at an average of 31.04. He made a sensational debut at Lord’s during the 2019 Ashes series, rattling the Australian lineup with his express pace and bounce. His ability to extract life from flat tracks and strike at crucial junctures makes him a key asset in England’s bowling arsenal.
Changes in England’s XI
Alongside Archer, Gus Atkinson has also been brought into the side. These two replace Josh Tongue and Brydon Carse, both of whom featured in the previous Test. Carse especially struggled to make an impact, leading to Atkinson getting a shot. IND vs ENG 3rd Test Playing 11
England’s Playing XI for the 3rd Test:
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Zak Crawley
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Ben Duckett
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Ollie Pope
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Joe Root
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Harry Brook
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Ben Stokes (captain)
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Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper)
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Chris Woakes
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Gus Atkinson
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Jofra Archer
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Shoaib Bashir
🚨 BIG UPDATE!
Jofra Archer returns to England’s Playing XI for the Third Test!
The speedster is back in whites at Lord’s since FEB 2021! 🔥#ENGvIND 👉 3rd TEST | THU, 10th JUL, 2:30 PM onwards on JioHotstar pic.twitter.com/z5tAtAB7vn
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) July 9, 2025
India’s Team Update: Jasprit Bumrah Likely to Return
On the Indian side, Jasprit Bumrah is set to return to the playing XI after missing the second Test due to workload management. The star fast bowler has been India’s main weapon with the ball, and his inclusion adds firepower to the pace department. IND vs ENG 3rd Test Playing 11
Bumrah is expected to replace Prasidh Krishna, who had an underwhelming outing in the previous game. Apart from this change, India are unlikely to alter their winning combination. IND vs ENG 3rd Test Playing 11
Akash Deep, who impressed on debut, is likely to retain his place. With his control and movement, he has given India a solid backup option. If conditions favor spin, India might even consider three pacers and two spinners, though the final decision will be made after assessing the Lord’s pitch. IND vs ENG 3rd Test Playing 11
What’s at Stake at Lord’s?
With the five-match series currently tied at 1-1, the third Test at Lord’s is pivotal. Both teams have shown their strengths and weaknesses. For India, a win here would mean back-to-back victories and control over the series. For England, it’s a chance to bounce back and reassert dominance at home. IND vs ENG 3rd Test Playing 11
England will hope that their revamped pace attack—featuring Archer and Atkinson—can rattle India’s in-form batting lineup. On the other hand, India’s challenge will be to maintain consistency and avoid a middle-order collapse, something that plagued them in the first Test. IND vs ENG 3rd Test Playing 11
Recent History at Lord’s
India have fond memories of Lord’s. In 2021, they defeated England by 151 runs at the same venue, thanks to a remarkable bowling performance and lower-order heroics. England, however, are known to bounce back strongly at home. IND vs ENG 3rd Test Playing 11
The Lord’s pitch traditionally offers early movement for fast bowlers, making both teams’ bowling strategies vital. With cloudy weather predicted on Day 1 and 2, conditions could assist seam bowlers early in the match.
Conclusion
The return of Jofra Archer for the Lord’s Test adds a dramatic twist to what’s already a thrilling series. With IND vs ENG 3rd Test Playing 11 now confirmed and both teams stacked with firepower, the cricketing world is set for a memorable clash. IND vs ENG 3rd Test Playing 11
All eyes will be on Archer’s comeback spell, Bumrah’s return, and whether England can reclaim the upper hand—or India will script another historic win at the Home of Cricket. IND vs ENG 3rd Test Playing 11
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