Once again, Jasprit Bumrah will be heavily relied on to deliver with the ball but this time in limited capacity. The pacer is the most experienced bowler in the Indian squad at the moment and is also the highest wicket-taking active pacer in England for India. While he has made it crystal clear that he will only take part in three Tests, it remains to be seen what impact he can create in the upcoming series.
Bumrah storm awaits England
Bumrah is the 8th highest wicket-taker for India in Tests against England, with 60 wickets to his name, and is the only active pacer in the top 10. In England, the pacer has 37 sclaps to his name from 9 matches, averaging 26.27 and has two five-wicket hauls to his name.
In comparision with the rest of the pacers in the side featuring the likes of Siraj, Krishna, Arshdeep and Akash Deep, Bumrah is the most dreaded among the lot.
While he was India’s leading wicket-taker and the best bowler in Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a lot has changed since then. Being the most overworked bowler (367 overs in Tests) in the previous calendar year forced Bumrah to pick up a back injury towards the end of that series. He was then out of action for nearly four months before making his comeback in IPL 2025.
The ace pacer has now decided to manage his workload smartly & carefully, and hence has decided to play only in 3 Tests. Bumrah confirmed that he will indeed be a part of the playing XI in the 1st Test, which comes as a huge relief for India.
The last time England played against India in the sub-continent in 2024, Bumrah managed to take 19 wickets. However, he did not have to bowl long spells back then. Unlike in Australia where he bowled 28.4 overs in a game, the maximum number of overs he bowled in that series was 17.2 overs.
While it is certain that Bumrah will create an impact in how many ever limited overs that he will bowl in England, the onus will be on his fellow pacers to step up and support him by taking wickets at regular intervals.
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