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With Jasprit Bumrah most probably set to sit out the second Test at Edgbaston against England as part of India‘s carefully laid workload management strategy, the question of who will fill his shoes becomes critical, especially after India’s demoralizing loss in the opening Test at Headingley.
A lone warrior with the ball for India in Headingley Test
Despite India’s disappointing five-wicket loss in the first Test at Headingley, Bumrah stood tall as the undisputed star of the bowling unit. In the first innings, Bumrah produced a spell of devastating precision and pace, claiming a five-wicket haul (5/83), his 14th in Test cricket and a remarkable 12th away from home, equalling the legendary Kapil Dev’s record for most five-fors outside India by an Indian pacer. He extracted late movement, bowled hostile bouncers, and relentlessly targeted the stumps. That performance becomes even more commendable considering four catches were dropped off his bowling, including two sitters, and he was denied a sixth wicket due to a no-ball call. Yet, he kept coming, kept fighting, epitomizing the never-say-die spirit that India’s bowling sorely lacked beyond him.
In the second innings, while he went wicketless, his efforts were no less impactful. England’s ‘Bazball’ approach, led by a fearless opening stand from Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, was noticeably restrained during Bumrah’s spells. Instead of taking him on, they saw him off with great caution, knowing his ability to strike early could derail the chase. Bumrah bowled 22 overs with relentless discipline, often beating the bat and drying up runs, while the other pacers bled at the opposite end. His match figures stood at 5/140 from 43.4 overs, and crucially, his economy and consistency kept India in the contest far longer than they otherwise would have been.
3 players who can replace India’s bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah
His absence, though pre-decided, becomes even more significant considering the Edgbaston pitch’s history, famously flat and batting-friendly, where England chased down 378 against India in 2022, their highest successful Test chase. With this context, India needs to find a bowler who not only brings variety but also has the skill to endure long spells and break partnerships on docile pitches. Here are three names who could be under serious consideration:
1. Arshdeep Singh
Why he fits:
Arshdeep Singh’s left-arm angle adds variety to a right-arm heavy pace attack. He swings the red ball naturally and has bowled well in English conditions during his County stints. His ability to bowl long spells with control and movement—both conventional and reverse—makes him a tempting choice on the Edgbaston surface, where subtle skill is often more effective than raw pace.
First-class record:
- Matches: 21
- Wickets: 66
- Style: Left-arm fast-medium
- Bonus: Experience in English County Cricket
What he offers:
Swing, accuracy, and a different angle, Arshdeep can challenge England’s right-handers outside the off-stump and make early inroads, something India missed badly once Bumrah’s initial burst was nullified in the second innings at Leeds.
2. Akash Deep
Why he fits:
Akash Deep is a classic first-class performer who can bowl long spells and has already debuted for India in Tests. He hits the deck hard and gets seam movement, which could prove handy on a placid Edgbaston surface. Additionally, his ability to contribute useful runs down the order strengthens his case, especially after India’s twin lower-order collapses (from 430/3 to 471, and 333/4 to 364) in the Leeds Test.
Test record:
- Matches: 7
- Wickets: 15
- FC Wickets: 128 in 38 matches
- Batting Bonus: Handy lower-order hitter
What he offers:
Control, endurance, and a tail-end bat that could help India stretch their innings. His domestic record shows he’s reliable when the ball gets older, something India lacked when England accelerated in their chase.
3. Nitish Kumar Reddy
Why he fits:
Nasser Hussain and Ravi Shastri both flagged India’s lack of a Hardik Pandya-type seam bowling all-rounder in the Headingley loss. Nitish Kumar Reddy is perhaps the only option in the current squad who can play that role. He’s shown promise with the bat, already has a Test century, and can bowl disciplined medium-pace, enough to hold one end and break partnerships.
Test Record:
- Matches: 5
- Runs: 298
- Wickets: 5
- Style: Right-arm medium-fast
What he offers:
Balance. His inclusion could allow India to play an extra bowler or reinforce their fragile slip cordon with more fielding flexibility. More importantly, he ensures that the tail doesn’t begin at No. 7.
Also READ: ENG vs IND: Sunil Gavaskar explains why Kuldeep Yadav should replace Shardul Thakur for the 2nd Test
