India cricket team will be considering carrying good number of pacers as backup options for the IND vs ENG Test series. Given that Bumrah and Shami are unlikely to play all five Tests, the Men in Blue will require the services of other pacers. With Krishna and Siraj almost certain to be a part of the playing XI, India will perhaps also consider taking a left-arm pacer as well.
Which left-arm pacer will make the cut?
Arshdeep Singh is one option that India can consider. The Punjab pacer is yet to earn his maiden Test call-up although it is long due. For a long time now, he has been considered as a white-ball bowler only. One of the primary reasons why he wasn’t considered for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy was his reported inexperience of playing red-ball cricket.
However, he has 66 wickets from 21 first-class games played so far. Arshdeep managed to register his career best figures of 6/40 in the Duleep Trophy last year. Talking about his form in IPL 2025, he has already taken 16 wickets. Singh has also shown his ability to get the ball to swing as well.
Given his height advantage, he could be one of the best options India could try out in England.
| Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | Ave | Econ | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | 37 | 3758 | 2005 | 66 | 30.37 | 3.20 | 56.9 |
Khaleel Ahmed is another option that India could use. The CSK pacer, like Arshdeep, has very little red-ball experience but is in insane form off late. Talking about his first-class record, he has 52 wickets from 19 games, averaging 28.34. In IPL 2025, he has bowled the most dot balls in the tournament so far – 119. He has taken 14 wickets as well.
Once again, like Arshdeep, Khaleel’s height could come as a great advantage for India in England.
| Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | Ave | Econ | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | 33 | 2802 | 1474 | 52 | 28.34 | 3.15 | 53.8 |
The third option could be Yash Dayal. Despite earning a fast-bowling contract in 2024, he did not receive a call-up for Tests, despite being a part of the squad on a couple of occasions. Unlike Khaleel and Arshdeep, Dayal doesn’t have the height advantage.
However, he has a better first-class record compared to the other two. In 27 matches, he has managed to bag 84 wickets and averages 28.78. In IPL 2025, he has so far taken 10 wickets from 11 matches for RCB.
| Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | 50 | 4831 | 2418 | 84 | 28.78 | 3.00 | 57.5 | 6 | 1 |
The post Arshdeep vs Khaleel vs Dayal: 3-way southpaw battle for one spot in IND vs ENG tour appeared first on Inside Sport India.