India's Bowling Options for Upcoming England Tour Amid Key Player Uncertainties
India's Anticipation for the England Tour
As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 approaches its conclusion, cricket enthusiasts, particularly in India, are turning their attention to the upcoming India Tour of England. The first Test is scheduled to commence on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds, marking the start of a new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle for the Indian team.
Retirements and Fitness Concerns
In a significant development, Rohit Sharma has declared his retirement from Test cricket, while Virat Kohli is also contemplating stepping away from this format. Additionally, Mohammed Shami's participation in the tour remains uncertain due to ongoing fitness issues. After a lengthy 14-month injury hiatus, Shami's performance in the current IPL season has been subpar, raising doubts about his readiness for the English series.
Potential Replacements for Shami
Should Shami be unavailable, India will need to explore alternative pace options. Here are three bowlers who could effectively fill the gap.
Arshdeep Singh
Arshdeep Singh, a left-arm swing bowler from Punjab, has shown promising growth in domestic cricket and the IPL. He participated in five matches for Kent during the 2023 County Championship, gaining valuable experience in English conditions. His ability to swing the ball both ways could provide the much-needed variation to India's pace attack, potentially unsettling the opposition's top order.
FC Stats of Arshdeep Singh
| Format | Matches | Innings | Wickets | BBI | BBM | ER | 4w | 5w |
| FC | 21 | 37 | 66 | 6/40 | 9/90 | 3.20 | 1 | 2 |
Prasidh Krishna
Prasidh Krishna is recognized for leveraging his height to extract bounce from the pitch. He has taken 88 wickets in 24 first-class matches. His aggressive bowling style could be advantageous against England's batting lineup. Currently, he leads the wicket-takers in the IPL 2025 season, showcasing consistent line and length, making him a valuable addition to India's squad.
Prasidh Krishna FC Stats
| Format | Matches | Innings | Wickets | BBI | BBM | ER | 4w | 5w | 10w |
| Tests | 3 | 5 | 8 | 3/42 | 6/107 | 4.30 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FC | 24 | 43 | 88 | 6/35 | 10/94 | 3.14 | 4 | 3 | 1 |
Mukesh Kumar
Mukesh Kumar, a right-arm medium-fast bowler from Bengal, is recognized for his consistent line and length. With 207 wickets in 51 first-class matches at an average of 21.42, his seam movement and control make him a strong candidate for the challenging English conditions.
Mukesh Kumar FC Stats
| Format | Matches | Innings | Wickets | BBI | BBM | ER | 4w | 5w | 10w |
| Tests | 3 | 6 | 7 | 2/0 | 4/56 | 3.78 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FC | 51 | 94 | 207 | 6/32 | 10/50 | 2.90 | 12 | 9 | 1 |
Conclusion
The selectors for India will need to thoroughly assess these candidates to assemble a well-rounded and effective bowling lineup for the challenging tour ahead.