At Headingley, two distinctly different matches unfolded — one from Jasprit Bumrah’s end, and another from the rest of India’s pace attack.
While Bumrah delivered a bowling masterclass, his colleagues — Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna — struggled to maintain pressure, raising serious concerns about India’s pace depth ahead of a grueling five-Test series in England.
Bumrah’s Spellbinding Show
From the moment he started his rhythmic, stuttering walk-up to the crease, Bumrah was a spectacle. Seam, swing, angle, pace — the full package was on display. He bowled 24.4 overs, took 5 for 83, and deserved far more had it not been for three dropped catches and a no-ball wicket.
- Bumrah’s Economy: 3.50 RPO
- Wickets every: 30.4 balls
- Dropped Catches: 3
- No-Ball Wicket: Harry Brook reprieved on 0
The Alarming Contrast: Siraj & Prasidh Struggle
In sharp contrast, Siraj and Prasidh leaked runs and failed to build sustained pressure:
- Combined Economy: 5.32 RPO
- Wicket every: 56.4 balls
- Loose Deliveries: At least 1–2 every over
Their performance allowed England to cruise along, even with Bumrah dismantling their top order from the other end. The lack of consistency from the support pacers was glaring — and deeply concerning.
Bumrah Dependency: India’s Fragile Pace Equation
With Mohammed Shami injured and unlikely to feature anytime soon, Bumrah’s presence becomes non-negotiable. But with five Tests in under six weeks, it’s certain Bumrah will be rested for at least one game.
And then what?
- Siraj & Prasidh will have to shoulder the attack.
- England’s Bazballers — unafraid and ultra-aggressive — won’t hold back.
- Potential replacements like Arshdeep, Akash Deep, or Harshit Rana are untested in such demanding conditions.
If Day 3 at Leeds is anything to go by, India’s bowling could unravel without Bumrah.
Bumrah: The X-Factor No One Can Replicate
He isn’t just India’s best pacer. He is a generational talent who elevates the entire bowling unit and unnerves opposition batters like no one else. Even Ben Stokes, Brook, Pope, and Duckett wore looks of unease when facing him.
“I also make mistakes, I am only human,” Bumrah said after play. But his bowling says otherwise.
Final Take: Can India Survive Without Bumrah?
India conceded 4.61 RPO even with Bumrah bowling at one end. Take him out of the equation and India’s attack looks fragile, directionless, and far too dependent on one superstar.
Unless the backup pacers step up fast, India might be staring at a very long summer under Shubman Gill’s fresh captaincy reign.
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