Speaking of Bumrah, there is perhaps no man on either side more capable of winning the series single-handedly than the India paceman. Pound for pound, Bumrah is the best cricketer in the world and compiling a career that will put him among the greatest fast bowlers.
How England play, or survive, Bumrah may well determine the outcome. The India management have indicated he may only play three of the five Tests, though the extra rest period after the first and third Tests could mean Bumrah sneaks in a fourth.
Remarkably, Bumrah has played only 12 Tests at home. The bulk of his career, 31 of 45 caps, have come travelling to South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia. In the ‘SENA’ countries, most suited to fast bowling, he has 145 wickets, more than any other India bowler, and almost three-quarters of his total 205.
Last year, when England toured India, Bumrah was devastating in short, sharp bursts. In the four Tests he played he bowled fewer than 104 overs, yet still took 19 wickets with a strike-rate under 33. Every spell was electrifying, not unlike Mitchell Johnson’s Ashes tear in 2013-14.
Therefore, the key to England playing Bumrah might actually be held in the way they go about tackling the rest of the India bowling.
Besides Siraj the rest of the pace attack is either inexperienced in England or supplemented by all-rounders Shardul Thakur and Nitish Kumar Reddy.
In terms of the spinners that could hold an end, Ravindra Jadeja’s career average in England is above 44, and Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar have played one Test in this country between them.
If England can put the other bowlers under pressure, new India skipper Shubman Gill will be forced to increase Bumrah’s workload, potentially reducing his potency.
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