India suffered a major setback ahead of the series-deciding third ODI against England at Lord’s after pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out with a knee injury.
Captain Shubman Gill confirmed Bumrah’s absence at the toss on Sunday, revealing that the fast bowler had failed to recover in time for the contest at the Home of Cricket.
“Boom misses out, he’s unavailable due to some knee injury,” Gill said.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) later clarified that Bumrah had sustained the injury while fielding during the second ODI in Cardiff.
“Jasprit Bumrah had an impact injury on his left knee while fielding in the second ODI in Cardiff. He was not available for selection for the third ODI due to reactive swelling in his left knee,” the board said in a statement.
Bumrah’s absence comes as a significant blow for India, who are aiming to clinch their first ODI series win in England since 2014.The premier fast bowler had returned to the national side in ODIs after nearly three years since the ODI World Cup final against Australia in November 2023.
India made three changes to the side that lost the second ODI in Cardiff. KL Rahul replaced Shivam Dube in the batting line-up, while uncapped seamer Prince Yadav came in for the injured Washington Sundar. Arshdeep Singh also returned to the XI in place of Bumrah.
England, meanwhile, made one change, bringing back pacer Josh Tongue in place of Saqib Mahmood as both teams looked to gain the upper hand in the decider.
INDIA’S POOR ODI RECORD AT LORD’S
History is not on India’s side at Lord’s. The visitors have not won an ODI at the iconic venue since their 23-run victory over England in 2004. Since then, India have lost three of their four ODIs at the ground, while the 2011 contest against England ended in a dramatic tie.
Despite their struggles in the format at Lord’s, India will take confidence from recent memories at the venue. Just a week ago, the Indian women’s team scripted history by defeating England by 270 runs in the first-ever women’s Test at the ground.
Bumrah’s absence will undoubtedly test India’s bowling resources, particularly on a surface expected to offer assistance to the seamers.
Playing XIs for India vs England 3rd ODI
India: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill(c), Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul(w), Axar Patel, Gurnoor Brar, Prince Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna
England: Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook(c), Jos Buttler(w), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Josh Tongue
– Ends
