Jasprit Bumrah’s return for the England vs India 3rd Test has stirred both excitement and debate. While his bowling brilliance is undeniable—210 Test wickets at a staggering average of 19.60, his comeback has reignited conversations around India’s win record without Jasprit Bumrah, which curiously stands at a stronger 70% compared to 43% when he plays. As fans celebrate Jasprit Bumrah’s return, the question lingers: does his presence truly boost India’s chances, or is there more to these numbers than meets the eye?

Jasprit Bumrah’s Role in the India Team

Jasprit Bumrah plays a pivotal role in the Indian Test squad as the spearhead of the pace attack, especially in overseas conditions. His unique action, relentless accuracy, and ability to generate movement with both the new and old ball make him a rare match-winner across formats. What sets Bumrah apart is his impact in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) countries—traditionally tough hunting grounds for Indian bowlers, where he has already taken 150 wickets, the fourth-highest by a visiting bowler in these regions.

𝙈𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝-𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙅𝙖𝙨𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙩 𝘽𝙪𝙢𝙧𝙖𝙝! #TeamIndia | #ENGvIND | @Jaspritbumrah93 pic.twitter.com/jkqHyzfPx2

— BCCI (@BCCI) June 22, 2025

Beyond the numbers, Bumrah brings balance to the attack. His presence allows other seamers to operate in more supportive roles and enables India to compete on equal footing in pace-friendly conditions. His performances have been central to some of India’s greatest Test victories abroad, including their historic series wins in Australia in 2018–19 and 2020–21. Simply put, Bumrah is not just a bowler; he is India’s strike weapon, pressure builder, and partnership breaker rolled into one, making him indispensable to the team’s success, especially away from home.

India’s Win Record Without Jasprit Bumrah

Why the Higher Win Rate Without Bumrah Is Misleading

At first glance, the numbers suggest that India performs better without Jasprit Bumrah. However, raw win percentages don’t always capture the full context. To understand what these figures truly mean, it’s essential to look beyond the surface—to consider who the opponents were, where the matches were played, and why Bumrah was absent in the first place. Here’s why the seemingly higher win rate without him can be misleading.

Opposition Quality

Of India’s 19 Test wins without Jasprit Bumrah, a significant portion came against lower-ranked teams such as Bangladesh and West Indies. These teams have traditionally struggled against top-tier opposition, and victories against them do not provide a true measure of India’s strength. Bumrah is typically rested for such lower-stakes series.

Home Advantage

India’s dominance at home is well established, thanks largely to their world-class spin attack and familiarity with conditions. Of the 19 wins without Bumrah, 14 came on home soil, where seamers often play a supporting role. Bumrah is frequently rested in these fixtures to manage workload, preserving him for tougher tours.

Limited SENA Success Without Him

India have managed only two Test wins in SENA countries without Bumrah: the miraculous Gabba victory in 2021 and the record win at Edgbaston in 2022. Both were exceptional performances under unique circumstances, rather than indicators of sustained success without Bumrah in pace-friendly conditions where his skill set is crucial.

Workload Management

Given Bumrah’s history of injuries and his importance to India’s pace battery, team management has wisely chosen to limit his participation in low-priority matches. He is strategically rested during home series or games against weaker opponents, ensuring he is fit and firing for high-stakes contests, particularly overseas in SENA conditions.

Match Impact

Despite playing fewer Tests, Bumrah has been India’s chief architect in overseas wins. His 150 wickets in SENA countries rank fourth among all visiting bowlers, achieved at an exceptional strike rate of 46.1. His breakthroughs often come at critical junctures, shifting momentum and making him a genuine match-winner under pressure.

India in Tests: With vs Without Jasprit Bumrah (Since Debut) 🇮🇳🏏 pic.twitter.com/HdS8ICzMSD

— CricketGully (@thecricketgully) July 8, 2025

In essence, while India’s win record without Jasprit Bumrah may seem superior at first, it is the quality of opposition and match conditions that truly define his importance. His ability to thrive under pressure in the most demanding environments has made him a cornerstone of India’s pace revolution and a key to their modern overseas success.

The world’s No.1 Test bowler is back at the @HomeOfCricket, and mind you, he knows his stats really well 😀#TeamIndia #ENGvIND | @Jaspritbumrah93 pic.twitter.com/j7ToBp4bUW

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 9, 2025

A Crucial Test Ahead

As Jasprit Bumrah’s return injects renewed firepower into India’s pace attack, it also brings into focus the deeper layers behind India’s win record without Jasprit Bumrah. While the surface-level statistics may suggest India wins more in his absence, a closer look highlights his unmatched value in hostile overseas conditions, especially in SENA countries, where India’s historic breakthroughs have often had Bumrah at the heart of it.

𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟭
𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱#TeamIndia is Ready for Lord’s 🤜🤛#ENGvIND | @RishabhPant17 | @klrahul | @mdsirajofficial pic.twitter.com/PJjE4qRbiJ

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 10, 2025

With the England vs India 3rd Test looming and the five-match series tantalizingly poised at 1-1, all eyes will be on how Bumrah’s comeback shapes the contest. Given the high stakes and his proven track record, this Test promises to be a pivotal chapter, not just in the series, but in reaffirming Bumrah’s status as one of the most influential Test bowlers of this generation.