Jasprit Bumrah: The Key Player for India in Upcoming Test Against England
Bumrah's Crucial Role in India's Test Match
As India gears up to face England in the opening Test at Leeds, all eyes are on pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah. The 31-year-old is set to return to international cricket following an impressive stint in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with the Mumbai Indians, after recovering from an injury. He not only brings his exceptional skills but also the hopes of a transitioning Indian cricket team missing three key players.
The first Test is scheduled to commence on June 20, and it will be a poignant moment to see Team India without stalwarts like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin. Despite the promising talent in this new squad, Bumrah, often referred to as a 'national treasure' by Virat, is a player to be safeguarded. The exact number of Tests he will participate in remains uncertain, as both captain Shubman Gill and coach Gautam Gambhir have kept details under wraps during the pre-departure press conference.
Unlike his IPL experience, Bumrah will not have seasoned players like Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar alongside him. Instead, he will lead a youthful Indian pace attack that includes Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, and Akash Deep, who collectively have only 46 Test matches of experience—just one more than Bumrah's individual tally. All-rounders Shardul Thakur or Nitish Kumar Reddy may provide some relief to the primary bowlers.
Bumrah boasts an impressive record against England, having claimed 37 wickets in just nine matches at an average of 23.78 and a strike rate of 51.9, making him the most effective Indian bowler in England. His best bowling figures stand at 5/64, with two five-wicket hauls to his name. Remarkably, he has only gone wicketless once in 15 innings against England on their home turf.
During his inaugural tour to England in 2018, Bumrah took 14 wickets in three matches, averaging 25.92, with his best figures being 5/85, which contributed to India's 203-run victory at Nottingham.
The 2021-22 tour was particularly memorable, as he led the bowling charts with 23 wickets in five matches at an average of 22.47, including best figures of 5/64. In the last Test at Edgbaston in 2022, which was postponed due to COVID-19, he also made his captaincy debut, albeit in a losing match.
Overall, Bumrah has taken 60 wickets in 14 matches against England, both at home and away, with an impressive average of 22.16 and best figures of 6/45.
With a wealth of confidence and impressive statistics, Bumrah arrives in England ready to perform. He had a phenomenal series in Australia, where he took 32 wickets across five matches at an average of 13.06, including three five-wicket hauls and two four-wicket hauls. His remarkable performance in Australia alone could secure him a place in the Hall of Fame, but another stellar outing in England could elevate his legacy as a fast bowler even further.
Bumrah's prowess extends beyond mere statistics; his ability to produce exceptional swing, deliver toe-crushing yorkers, and maintain composure under pressure makes him an invaluable asset to the Indian team.
A fifth five-wicket haul would mark his tenth in the SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) nations, making him the first Indian bowler to achieve this milestone. Additionally, five more wickets would bring him to 150 wickets in SENA, another first for an Indian bowler.