Jasprit Bumrah stands head and shoulders above the rest of the Indian pace attack. His skill, consistency, and ability to deliver under pressure have cemented his place as the leader of the pack. While India boasts a few other talented fast bowlers, the gap between Bumrah and the next tier is significant.
Bumrah's recent performances speak volumes about his impact. During the first Test against England at Headingley, Leeds, Bumrah showcased his brilliance with a five-wicket haul, becoming the first Asian bowler to take 150 Test wickets in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia). This achievement also placed him alongside Kapil Dev for the most Test five-fors among Indian bowlers in away Tests. His ability to dismantle opposition lineups with precision and control is a testament to his mastery of the craft. In that same match, Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj endured difficult outings, highlighting the gulf in consistency.
Mohammed Siraj is perhaps the closest to Bumrah in terms of experience and potential. Siraj has shown glimpses of brilliance, like his match-winning spell against Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2025, where he took four wickets for just 17 runs. He has the ability to strike early and break partnerships, making him a valuable asset. However, consistency has been an issue, and he sometimes struggles to maintain control. Recent form has seen him go for runs in T20Is against Sri Lanka. Siraj's current ICC ranking is #72.
Prasidh Krishna is another promising talent in the Indian pace bowling setup. He made a mark in his Test debut against South Africa and had a remarkable bowling performance in the 2025 final Test against Australia, picking up three wickets in each inning. Krishna's height allows him to extract extra bounce, adding another dimension to the Indian attack. While he has the potential to trouble batsmen, he can be expensive. In the same test match where Bumrah excelled, Krishna had an economy rate of 6.40, which is the worst for an Indian pacer in a Test innings conceding at least 100 runs.
Comparing Bumrah to his contemporaries reveals the extent of his dominance. His average and strike rate in recent Test matches are among the best in history for a fast bowler. Bumrah's ability to perform consistently across different formats and conditions sets him apart. He has consistently delivered match-winning performances, earning praise from legends like Sachin Tendulkar, who hailed him as the "best bowler in the world."
Beyond Bumrah, Siraj and Krishna, the depth in India's pace attack appears thin. While players like Mohammed Shami and Arshdeep Singh are talented, they haven't consistently performed at the highest level. Shami, in particular, has been on and off since his comeback. The selectors will need to identify and nurture more fast bowlers to support Bumrah and build a formidable pace attack for the future.
The Indian team relies heavily on Bumrah's brilliance. While Siraj and Krishna have the potential to develop into reliable performers, they need more consistency and experience. Until then, Bumrah remains the undisputed leader, with daylight and then the rest of the Indian pace bowlers following behind.
