With more than four years away from Test cricket, Jofra Archer’s comeback to Tests has set the cricketing world abuzz and India’s vice-captain Rishabh Pant is one of those who took notice. Before the third Test against England at Lord’s, Pant greeted the return of Archer, describing it as “a good contest,” but insisting that contributing to India’s success is his main priority. The timing couldn’t be more perfect for India, who come into the game on a high following a comprehensive 336-run victory at Edgbaston. Pant has been the driver of that momentum change, plundering 342 runs in the series at a phenomenal average of 85.50, including a scorching 65 from 57 balls in the previous game.
“Personally, whenever I step on the field, I enjoy my cricket and try to give my 100 percent. It’s not particularly about any individual. Yes, it’s going to be a good contest, because he’s also coming after a long break. But yes, I’m happy he’s back,” Pant said in the pre-match press conference
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Archer, who not played a Test match since the 2021 series against India, impressed strongly then by dismissing both Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill early in the first Test in Chennai. Having dismissed Gill twice already in his short red-ball career, Archer will be eager to do so again at Lord’s a ground that is special to him. In 2019 he bowled the Super Over in England’s World Cup victory and had a memorable Test debut later that summer.
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England have made a sole change for the third Test, with Archer replacing Josh Tongue, in the hope that the 30-year-old pacer can bring some firepower to a bowling attack that was found wanting at Edgbaston. With the series poised at 1-1, the battle between Pant and Archer can prove to be one of the decisive encounters in what is predicted to be a nail-biting encounter at Lord’s.
