India vs England: This star pacer likely to be dropped in the 3rd Test

India secured a dominant victory at Edgbaston on Sunday, defeating England by a massive 336 runs to register their first-ever win at the venue. Led by Shubman Gill, the New Gen Indian team levelled the series 1-1 in emphatic fashion. Gill played a captain’s knock with scores of 269 and 161 across both innings, while pacer Akash Deep starred with a remarkable 10-wicket haul.

The third Test is set to begin at Lord’s on July 10, and a change in India’s playing XI is highly likely. Jasprit Bumrah, who was rested for the second Test as part of workload management, is confirmed to return for the upcoming match, according to skipper Gill.

With Bumrah's return imminent, the team will need to make room. Akash Deep is certain to retain his spot following his match-winning performance. Mohammed Siraj, who picked up seven wickets in the match, is also a guaranteed selection. Karun Nair, who batted at No. 3 and scored 31 and 26 in his debut at that position, is expected to get a longer run. Washington Sundar contributed with a key partnership in the first innings and is unlikely to be dropped. Nitish Reddy, despite scoring only one run, is also set to be given another opportunity.

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Given these circumstances, fast bowler Prasidh Krishna is expected to make way for Bumrah. Krishna struggled in the second Test, finishing with figures of 0/72 in 13 overs and 1/39 in 14 overs. His performance in the first Test was also below par. In a particularly expensive over during England’s first innings, Jamie Smith smashed him for 23 runs—including four boundaries and a six—in the 32nd over.

A social media post revealed that Krishna now holds the dubious distinction of the worst economy rate in Test cricket history (minimum 500 balls bowled), conceding runs at over five per over. Previously, the record belonged to Bangladesh’s Shahadat Hossain, who gave away 3,731 runs in 38 Tests at an economy of 4.16 between 2005 and 2015.