India are set to miss the services of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah in the second Test of the five-game series against England at Edgbaston, starting on July 2, as part of a workload management plan.
Bumrah likely to miss Edgbaston Test amid workload management
Bumrah, who bowled a massive 43.4 overs in the series opener at Headingley, claimed a brilliant five-wicket haul in the first innings and was India’s standout performer despite the team’s eventual five-wicket defeat. The loss marked a historic moment as India became the first team to lose a Test after scoring five individual centuries. Bumrah’s absence will be felt deeply as his relentless control and ability to strike in key moments were unmatched. With the five-Test series tightly packed, the BCCI had earlier indicated that Bumrah would only feature in three matches, prioritizing his long-term fitness. The second Test begins on July 2 in Birmingham, and without Bumrah, India will need to restructure their bowling attack. The Indian bowling unit struggled to complement Bumrah’s brilliance in the first Test.
India’s ineffective bowling against England in the first Test
Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, who formed the rest of the pace trio, were largely ineffective. Siraj returned with underwhelming figures of 2/122 across both innings and remained wicketless in the second, while Prasidh leaked runs heavily, with combined figures of 5 wickets for 220 runs in just 35 overs. The lack of consistent support allowed England to chase down their second-highest fourth-innings target in Test history. Bumrah’s 5/83 in the first innings showcased his unmatched impact, but India’s inability to build pressure from both ends proved costly. In the second innings, even Bumrah went wicketless as England batted with controlled aggression. With the Edgbaston Test looming, India must not only find a replacement for Bumrah but also reassess the overall bowling combination. The choice now narrows down to two reserve pacers: Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh, each offering contrasting styles and strengths that can shape the Test’s outcome.
Also READ: Ravi Shastri predicts the two-Tests Jasprit Bumrah will play in remaining England series
Arshdeep vs Akash Deep: The race to replace Bumrah in Edgbaston
1. Akash Deep: Seam Movement and Early Impact
Akash Deep has a compelling case. He burst onto the Test scene with a phenomenal debut at Ranchi in 2024, where he rattled England’s top order by dismissing Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, and Ollie Pope early. His natural seam movement and skiddy release have drawn comparisons to Mohammed Shami, although India would hope he brings better returns than Shami’s 40+ average in England.
While Akash showed promise early, his recent form hasn’t lived up to expectations:
- 7 Tests, Average: 35.20
- Struggles with consistency in long spells
Still, his ability to extract movement off good length and trouble top-order batters early makes him a strong candidate on English pitches.
2. Arshdeep Singh: Left-Arm Variety and County Experience
If variety is the focus, Arshdeep Singh becomes a serious contender. The left-armer offers a different angle that could unsettle England’s predominantly right-handed top order. His experience in English conditions, playing for Kent in the County Championship adds value:
- 5 County Matches: 13 wickets, Avg: 41.76
- Not the best average, but gained experience with the Dukes ball
Arshdeep is also India’s top wicket-taker in T20Is, playing a key role in their T20 World Cup 2024 triumph. While Test cricket demands patience and stamina, Arshdeep’s T20 skills particularly in run containment and reverse swing could be an asset against England’s attacking style under Bazball.
What gives him an edge:
- Left-arm angle (India’s pace trio is currently all right-handed)
- Defensive control developed through white-ball cricket
- Ability to swing the ball both ways, especially with the new ball
However, he remains untested at the Test level and averages 30+ in first-class cricket, a figure that may not instill full confidence.
Also READ: ENG vs IND: Deep Dasgupta picks India’s playing XI for the Edgbaston Test with two key changes
