Jasprit Bumrah's exceptional performance in the recent Test match has once again highlighted his status as a world-class bowler, while the struggles of Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna have raised concerns about the depth of India's pace attack.
Bumrah's stellar display at Headingley against England is the latest in a series of outstanding performances that have solidified his reputation as one of the best bowlers in the world. In 13 overs, he took 3 wickets for 48 runs. According to NDTV Sports, Bumrah surpassed Pakistan great Wasim Akram for most wickets in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) by an Asian.
However, the performance of the other Indian pacers has been a cause for concern. Mohammed Siraj, often entrusted as Bumrah's deputy, has struggled with consistency and precision. Prasidh Krishna, playing his first Test in England, has appeared "undercooked and lacked planning," according to InsideSport. Their combined efforts in 27 overs yielded no wickets while conceding 129 runs, a stark contrast to Bumrah's impactful spell. Revsportz noted that no bowlers were able to capitalize on the pressure that Bumrah had built. Mohammed Siraj's first over was below par, going for 23 runs in 3 overs, but he composed himself, came back and bowled consistently in his second spell, one that left Root struggling for a bit. Prasidh Krishna on the other hand, struggled throughout and for a moment it felt like we were all back in Sydney during the final Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy. His 10 overs went for 56 runs, he was leaking runs, left and right.
The lack of support for Bumrah has exposed India's over-reliance on their premier fast bowler. InsideSport asks the questions that are on the minds of Indian management and fans. They ask, "Is Jasprit Bumrah bowling on a different surface altogether? How long can his magic continue to make India relevant? Why is it not hard for opposition batters to score runs off other pacers? Will the likes of Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna back Bumrah up anytime soon?" This over-dependence is a worrying trend that has been evident since the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in 2024-25. While Bumrah averages 13.31 with 35 wickets since then, other Indian pacers have averaged 40.29 with 48 wickets, highlighting a significant disparity.
Several factors may have contributed to the struggles of Siraj and Prasidh. Siraj, despite being considered the second-best pacer in the team, has an average of 34.45, significantly higher than Bumrah's 13.31. This could be attributed to a loss of "wicket-taking ability in the last couple of seasons," as noted by Crictoday. Meanwhile, Prasidh's lack of Test experience in England and undercooked preparation may have contributed to his underwhelming performance.
To address this over-reliance on Bumrah, it is crucial for Siraj and Prasidh to step up and provide consistent support. Former India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey emphasized that Siraj, as the senior-most pacer after Bumrah, needs to shoulder more responsibility and cannot expect Bumrah to deliver every time. Mhambrey said, "Siraj can't expect Bumrah to deliver every time, he must stand up; will pick Prasidh over Arshdeep."
The Indian team management needs to identify the reasons behind the inconsistent performances of Siraj and Prasidh and work on addressing their weaknesses. This could involve technical adjustments, improved planning, and better execution of strategies. Additionally, providing opportunities for other promising pacers like Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh could help build a more robust and diverse pace attack.
Bumrah's brilliance is undeniable, but for India to achieve sustained success in Test cricket, it is essential to develop a well-rounded pace attack where every bowler can contribute effectively. The onus is now on Siraj, Prasidh, and the team management to address the current imbalances and ensure that India's pace resources are utilized to their full potential.
