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STUMP VISION JULY 04, 2025 | The Indian Eye 44

Too Much Bumrah, Too Little

Backup: India’s Over-Reliance

Exposed in Test Series

India’s dependence on Jasprit Bumrah and a series of costly dropped catches raise serious

concerns about the team’s bowling strategy as they trail England 0-1 in the five-Test series

ASIM KHANNA
Leeds (UK)

eeds — India’s opening Test defeat at Head-
ingley has laid bare an uncomfortable truth:
Lthe team’s over-dependence on pace ace
Jasprit Bumrah, coupled with substandard catching
and an underperforming bowling unit, threatens to
derail their campaign in England.
Despite a spirited five-wicket haul from Bum-
rah in the first innings, India succumbed to a record
371-run chase by England on the final day. Bumrah
went wicketless in the second innings, and with little
support from the rest of the pace unit, India’s bowl-
ing frailties were brutally exposed.
“Managing Bumrah’s workload is non-nego-
tiable,” head coach Gautam Gambhir told report-
ers after the loss. “He was always going to play only
three of the five Tests. We’ve made that decision
keeping in mind the long season ahead.”
The plan is clear: preserve Bumrah’s fitness
following his recent back stress reaction. Yet, critics
question the logic of resting him when India are al-
ready trailing. Former coach Ravi Shastri was blunt Jasprit Bumrah holds the ball aloft after taking a five-wicket haul on Day 3 of the 1st Test match against England at Headingley
in his assessment. “If he was looking at a rest, you
may have to think twice,” he said on Sky Sports. “Go in Leeds (@BCCI X/ANI Photo)
2-0 down, and it could be an uphill task from there.”
The numbers say it all. Bumrah’s first-innings es at Headingley, squandering opportunities that If Bumrah is rested, the onus shifts to Siraj —
figures of 5/83 contrasted sharply with his pace part- cost them 250 runs, according to post-match analysis. the most experienced among the backups — and
ners. Prasidh Krishna, Shardul Thakur, and Mo- Yashasvi Jaiswal had a horror outing, putting swing specialists like Arshdeep. Shardul Thakur
hammed Siraj toiled collectively for 92 overs and re- down four catches, including a sitter from Ben Duck- might retain his place for his lower-order batting,
turned 9 wickets for a staggering 482 runs. Without ett when he was on 97. Duckett went on to score a while Krishna’s performance under pressure will be
Bumrah’s early breakthroughs, England cruised to match-turning 149. Jaiswal also dropped Ollie Pope closely watched.
their second-highest chase in Test history. on 60, who made a century. Other offenders includ- India may also consider drafting in an addition-
Adding to the headache is the rotation strategy. ed Ravindra Jadeja, Rishabh Pant, Sai Sudharsan, al spinner depending on conditions, with Ravindra
“We believe in our bowling group — Siraj, Arsh- and even Bumrah himself. Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin offering control
deep, Krishna, and Akash Deep — but they are still “It’s not just the bowlers. You’ve got to support and variation — although neither could break part-
learning,” Gambhir insisted. “You only get better them with sharp fielding,” said Sunil Gavaskar in nerships effectively at Headingley.
with experience, and we trust these boys to deliver.” commentary. “This was a collective failure.” The first Test has delivered a brutal wake-up
But the inexperience shows. England’s aggres- In a format where momentum can swing with a call. Over-reliance on Bumrah, unforced fielding
sive batting was met with scattered plans and incon- single wicket, such lapses are costly. India, usually a errors, and an unsettled bowling combination could
sistent lengths from the rest of the Indian attack. strong fielding side, now faces the task of regaining cost India dearly in this high-stakes series. While
With Bumrah rested for at least one of the next two their sharpness under pressure. Gambhir and the management talk of belief and
Tests, India must now build a bowling strategy with- With the second Test at Edgbaston just days away, long-term planning, the scoreboard shows 0-1.
out their most potent weapon. questions loom over India’s bowling strategy. Do they And with England’s batters showing no signs of
Gambhir hinted at greater reliance on swing and gamble and play Bumrah again to level the series? slowing down, India will need more than belief —
seam with Arshdeep Singh or a possible spin option Or stick to the plan and risk falling further behind? they’ll need discipline, a razor-sharp fielding unit, and
depending on the pitch in Birmingham, but admitted, Gambhir remained firm. “The plan is to man- bowlers ready to fill the void Bumrah leaves behind.
“There’s no like-for-like replacement for Bumrah.” age him across the tour. Let’s see how his body re- Because for now, it’s clear: India may have the
Even the best bowlers can’t win matches if fielders sponds, but right now, we’ve not decided which two world’s best bowler — but they don’t yet have the
let chances slip — literally. India dropped eight catch- matches he’ll play next.” world’s best bowling attack.

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