India are on the back foot after losing the first Test at Leeds, and now fresh concerns have emerged around Jasprit Bumrah’s availability for the second match. While the team resumed training in Birmingham with a lengthy session, Bumrah did not bowl or bat, raising questions about his fitness. With reports suggesting he might miss the next Test, the focus now shifts to a possible replacement of Jasprit Bumrah in Test side — a major concern given Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling has been central to India’s recent success in overseas conditions.
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Why Is Jasprit Bumrah’s Bowling The Key?
Jasprit Bumrah’s importance to India’s bowling attack simply can’t be overstated. With his unorthodox action, lethal accuracy, and calm under pressure, Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling brings a rare combination of consistency and match-winning flair that few fast bowlers in the world can match. Whether it’s delivering toe-crushing yorkers or exploiting reverse swing, Bumrah has the skillset to change a game in a single spell.
𝙈𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝-𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙅𝙖𝙨𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙩 𝘽𝙪𝙢𝙧𝙖𝙝! #TeamIndia | #ENGvIND | @Jaspritbumrah93 pic.twitter.com/jkqHyzfPx2
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 22, 2025
His record speaks for itself — 205 wickets in just 45 Tests at a staggering average of 19.40. Recognised globally, he was rightly awarded the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year and the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy in 2024, underlining his value to the side.
The cynosure of all eyes, Boom Boom Bumrah 🔥#TeamIndia | #ENGvIND | @Jaspritbumrah93 pic.twitter.com/zC5gIrIw5D
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 21, 2025
In the first Test at Leeds, Bumrah led the charge with a brilliant five-wicket haul in the first innings. Though he went wicketless in the second, it’s worth noting that he was brought into the attack quite late, when England had already taken control. Still, his presence alone lifted the intensity of the bowling unit. That’s why even a whisper about his unavailability is enough to set alarm bells ringing. Considering a replacement of Jasprit Bumrah in Test line-up is no small matter. It’s not just about missing a player; it’s about losing the spine of India’s pace attack.
Replace of Jasprit Bumrah In Test Series
If Bumrah is indeed missing from the second Test, India will have a real selection puzzle on their hands. After all, replacing one of the world’s finest fast bowlers — especially someone fresh off a five-wicket haul in the first innings at Leeds — is never easy. The team’s pace stocks aren’t exactly overflowing at the moment either, with Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Shardul Thakur already part of the XI in the previous Test and delivering underwhelming returns. That leaves India with a couple of interesting, if contrasting, options as a potential replacement of Jasprit Bumrah in Test team.
1. Akash Deep – The Early Striker
Akash Deep may be the most straightforward replacement of Jasprit Bumrah in Test. The right-arm seamer made an instant impact on debut against this very England side earlier in 2024, dismissing the top three batters — Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, and Ollie Pope — with seam movement and sharp discipline. His ability to hit a good length and extract movement off the pitch makes him a logical plug-in if India wants someone who can mirror the early-burst threat of Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling.
However, while Akash Deep impressed on debut, his overall Test average of 35.20 across seven matches suggests he’s still adapting to the demands of international cricket. Moreover, like Mohammed Shami, to whom his action and skiddy release are often compared, he hasn’t yet proven himself in English conditions. He also tends to lose his radar at times, something India may be cautious about given how England’s aggressive batting thrives on loose deliveries.
2. Arshdeep Singh – The Left-Arm X-Factor
Arshdeep Singh, on the other hand, offers variety. Though better known for his white-ball exploits — especially as India’s leading wicket-taker in the 2024 T20 World Cup win — Arshdeep brings a left-arm angle that could be invaluable. He has prior red-ball experience in England too, having played County cricket for Kent last year. While his numbers (13 wickets at 41.76) weren’t headline-grabbing, the exposure to local conditions may still prove useful.
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 8, 2025
What works in Arshdeep’s favour is his natural control and ability to swing the ball both ways, especially with the new ball. His calm temperament and T20 experience make him a potential asset when England inevitably looks to play aggressively. A left-arm bowler in a pack of right-armers adds a tactical wrinkle — one that might just keep England’s top order guessing.
What Lies Ahead for India’s Bowling Attack?
As India prepares for the second Test, the uncertainty around Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling adds an extra layer of complexity to an already high-pressure situation. His unmatched ability to strike early, maintain control, and break partnerships makes him the heartbeat of the Indian pace attack. Without him, the bowling unit not only loses its most reliable performer but also its tone-setter — the one who brings energy, intensity, and direction.
The thought process of Jasprit Bumrah when offered the Test captaincy 🗣#ENGvIND
More ➡ https://t.co/gt1fhGgHCu pic.twitter.com/ZEyUK4rTgl
— ICC (@ICC) June 18, 2025
The replacement of Jasprit Bumrah in Test team is not a like-for-like decision. Whether it’s Akash Deep’s seam movement and bounce or Arshdeep Singh’s left-arm variety and control, both options bring distinct strengths but also come with some level of risk. Much will depend on the conditions in Birmingham and how the team wants to balance aggression with containment.
Jasprit Bumrah carved through the English lineup for his 14th five-wicket haul in Test cricket 🔥#ENGvIND 📝: https://t.co/FXxW1HkGLm #WTC27 pic.twitter.com/P1ZthYFsKY
— ICC (@ICC) June 22, 2025
What’s clear is that Bumrah’s presence or absence — will shape how India approach the second Test. If he’s fit, he walks back into the XI. If not, India will need to be both bold and thoughtful with their selection, hoping that whoever fills those big shoes can do enough to help level the series.
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