Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah missed the second Test against England at Edgbaston last week as part of his workload management but he is set to comeback at Lord’s.

His participation in the third Test was confirmed by India’s Test skipper, Shubman Gill, during the post-match presentation ceremony at Edgbaston.

In Bumrah’s absence, Akash Deep played the second Test and returned with 10 wickets across two innings, playing a significant role in India’s series-levelling 336-run victory. Hence, Akash is likely to be retained in the lineup along with Mohammad Siraj.

Bumrah, in all probability, will replace Prasidh Krishna in India’s playing XI. Krishna appeared in the first two Tests but failed to make a mark with his bowling.

Legendary off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin sees it as a straight swap and he termed the Indian bowling attack of Bumrah, Akash and Siraj as ‘Demonic’.

“It’s a straight swap. People can also say Siraj has bowled a lot of overs. So can you rest Siraj? I don’t think Siraj will be rested. Siraj has bowled a lot of overs and his action is not as unique as Bumrah. So, the injury scenario for Bumrah is far greater than Siraj. And being 1-1 in the series, Siraj should play. With Siraj, Akash Deep and Bumrah coming in, this Indian attack looks demonic. Demonic is the right word. That looks demonic on a pitch if it has a bit of help. And the Indian bowlers, like Stuart Broad said, Lord’s sees a lot of LBWs anyway. This Indian bowling attack is not a tall one. They will challenge the pads a lot more which will also make sure that edges are also into play,” Ashwin said on his Youtube channel Ash ki Baat.

Akash and Siraj complemented each other brilliantly and shared 17 wickets among themselves in the Birmingham Test.

England’s star batter Joe Root has failed to make a mark in the series so far, managed just 109 runs in four innings. Ashwin said he expects England to bounce back at Lord’s only if Root is able to produce a big knock.

“This series has been less about Joe Root and more about Shubman Gill. Which is where India is winning. So if we see, England are in a bit of trouble because of the Indian seam attack. So England needs their pace regeneration. England bowling is looking very pedestrian. On the other hand, Joe Root is getting pinned down. Can Joe Root make those runs? If Joe Root makes runs then England have a chance otherwise India are firm favourites going into this Test match,” added Ashwin.

Earlier this week, Ashwin also talked about how he sees this England batting line-up not surviving against India even for a day and not being able to survive for a draw in the Bazball era.

“England will not be able to draw a Test match after playing a full day. This English batting line-up, there is no chance. Give them two sessions, they will not draw the match. They will get bowled out. In that last test match at Lord’s in 2021. where Virat said ’60 overs of hell,’. That England batting could not last 60 overs. That batting lineup’s defensive technique was not right. These people also don’t have the right defensive technique. It’s even worse than that,” Ashwin had said.