Jasprit Bumrah's return to India's Playing XI was not surprising. The India pacer spearhead, who had missed the second test at Edgbaston due to rest and workload management as part of the overall picture, made his long-awaited return for the crucial third test against England, which began today. Prasidh Krishna was replaced by Bumrah to strengthen a bowling assault that already includes Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep, who each had six wickets in Birmingham. With the backing of Siraj and Akash, India are likely to unleash on England like they did four days ago, if Bumrah's form in the nets is any indication.

Nonetheless, an intriguing scenario occurred just before the game began at the famous Lord's cricket stadium. Casually, Bumrah, who was warming up, walked close to the field to get a better view of it. After striding over the ropes that protected the surface from all four sides, Bumrah approached the pitch. The England captain kept his distance from the 22 yards even though Ben Stokes was also shadow practicing. But it appeared that Bumrah was a little bit more at ease. A ground official standing next to the wicket told Bumrah that he should not step onto the pitch as he looked at it.

As mischievous as ever, Bumrah was not going to give up so easily. The Indian pacer jokingly threatened to step on the field while taunting the grounds crew. The officer reiterated Bumrah's responsibilities after a brief chuckle. But this time, Bumrah remained still, merely casting a glance before eventually taking a step back. In fact, the Indian fast bowler moved two steps back and walked away.

See the video below:

As England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and chose to bat, in an effort to retake their lead in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, which is now tied at 1-1, this event occurred only minutes before the game began.

Bumrah returns: What are the implications for India and their prospects at Lord's?

The only alteration in India's Playing XI is Bumrah taking the position of the pricey Prasidh. All debates about whether Kuldeep Yadav would ever get a look in were put to rest when Washington Sundar kept his spot because India required batting depth. India saw no need to change a successful formula after the ruse worked perfectly in Birmingham.

At Lord's, India has triumphed in two of their previous three Test matches. India achieved a memorable victory under MS Dhoni in 2014 thanks to Ajinkya Rahane's century, Ravindra Jadeja's half-century, and Ishan Sharma's career-best performance of 7/74. India did, however, lose that series 1-3. In 2018, India lost at Lord's, but three years later, in 2021, they achieved one of their most well-known Test victories abroad when they defeated England by 151 runs.

After a scorching pep talk from their then captain Virat Kohli, India gave England a target of 272 in a bowling performance that has since become associated with "60 overs of hell," but they were bowled out for 120. India has only three victories at Lords during their 93 years of touring England—1986, 2014, and 2021. Gill's lads will be eager for a fourth game and move closer to winning the series.

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