If there’s one cricketer whose name you’d scrawl on the Indian Test team sheet even in your sleep, it’s Jasprit Bumrah. Such is the fast bowler’s stature that he is now the automatic first name in any Indian Test XI. Bumrah has not only become India’s bowling spearhead but also a symbol of reliability and brilliance, especially in overseas conditions.
But Test matches, especially in England, aren’t won by one individual. They demand a collective bowling effort — rhythm from one end, relentlessness from the other. And that brings us to the real question: who are the support acts to Bumrah in this high-stakes script?
Mohammed Siraj – The Second Seamer by Default
For now, Mohammed Siraj seems to have cemented his place as India’s second pacer. His success in challenging overseas conditions like Australia and South Africa lends weight to his selection. However, there are caveats. Siraj has shown tendencies to leak runs when batters go after him. While he thrives on energy and aggression, his control with the new ball will be under scrutiny. The discipline of length and line, especially in English conditions where the margin for error is slim, will define his impact.
The Third Pacer Debate: Prasidh Krishna or Arshdeep Singh?
The third seamer’s slot, however, remains a live contest.
Arshdeep Singh:
The left-arm pacer offers natural variation — both in angle and swing. Arshdeep has shown he can move the ball both ways and deliver it with a trajectory that hints at late movement, which is particularly valuable with the new ball. However, there’s a concern about his effectiveness with the older ball. His first-class average of 30.37, and even more tellingly, an average of 42 during his stint with Kent, suggests he hasn’t yet mastered the art of reverse or sustained spells late in the innings.
Prasidh Krishna:
Fresh from an impressive IPL 2025, Prasidh comes with an entirely different skill set. He’s a hit-the-deck bowler, known for extracting steep bounce and troubling batters with lift off a good length. This makes him an ideal first-change option, especially when the Dukes ball softens and conventional swing starts to fade. While often labelled as a one-dimensional bowler, Prasidh has shown his ability to go full and swing the ball — his inswinging yorkers to Cameron Bancroft and KL Rahul earlier this year are testament.
Tactical Fit: What Does the Team Need?
Ultimately, the choice between Arshdeep and Prasidh boils down to what role the team management wants the third pacer to play.
- If India want another new-ball partner to share the early overs with Bumrah and push Siraj to first-change, Arshdeep becomes the more natural pick.
- If the strategy is to use Bumrah and Siraj upfront and look for someone to maintain pressure and bounce through the middle overs, Prasidh’s hard lengths and bounce could be more effective.
This is not just about form or flair — it’s about fitting the right piece into the right part of the puzzle.
