The plan appears to favor resting Bumrah for Edgbaston so he can be fresh for Lord’s, raising the question: What is India’s best attack without him?
Bumrah’s Absence Forces India to Rethink Attack, Kuldeep Yadav Likely Key
Jasprit Bumrah’s skill and sharp cricketing intellect place him far ahead of his pace colleagues, often making them appear pedestrian by comparison. While Bumrah has been exceptional overseas—where spin has less influence—his impact at home has been slightly more muted, with spinners like R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Washington Sundar stepping up on helpful pitches.
Away from the subcontinent, Bumrah’s dominance is clear. During India’s recent tour of Australia, he was the most incisive bowler on either side, outperforming stars like Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins. However, a stress reaction in his back resurfaced during that series, sidelining him in the final innings and causing him to miss the ICC Champions Trophy.
Although Bumrah returned in the IPL and for the England series, selectors have limited him to three Tests due to workload management. This likely means he could miss the upcoming Edgbaston Test, with the leadership preferring to rest him for Lord’s next week.
India now face the challenge of assembling a potent attack without their spearhead. Kuldeep Yadav emerges as a vital option, especially given India’s need for wickets to level the series after piling on runs at Headingley. Captain Shubman Gill will look to Kuldeep as the likely match-winner in Bumrah’s absence.
Among the pacers, Mohammed Siraj, despite his grit, has yet to establish himself as the frontline bowler. Prasidh Krishna, early in his Test career, remains a work in progress but shows promise if he can overcome injuries. Backup support is needed, and with Shardul Thakur and Nitish Kumar Reddy’s current forms in question, Akash Deep is a strong contender. Despite recent setbacks with injury, Deep’s ability to swing the ball and his partnership potential with Siraj make him a valuable addition to India’s pace arsenal as they prepare for a crucial battle without Bumrah.
The best combination
In an ideal Bumrah-less scenario—which is admittedly hard to imagine—India’s specialist bowling lineup would likely comprise Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, and Kuldeep Yadav, with Ravindra Jadeja fulfilling the all-rounder role. Though both Kuldeep and Jadeja are left-arm spinners, they offer distinctly different skills. As seen in Leeds, Jadeja is dependable at maintaining tight lines and delivering overs at a brisk pace, while becoming particularly dangerous when footmarks provide assistance—if he avoids just pitching the ball straight.
England’s two highest successful Test chases in recent years—378 at Edgbaston in 2022 and 371 at Headingley last week—both came against India. Bumrah led the team in the former and was wicketless in the second innings of the latter. This stark contrast underscores the challenge India faces without their premier pacer on the field. Yet, it also presents a golden opportunity for another player to rise dramatically and become the new match-winner India so desperately needs.
