Manchester, July 18: In recent years, India’s meteoric rise in world cricket has been closely tied to the fire and finesse of its fast bowling arsenal.
From rattling opposition batters on lively tracks in Australia to swinging the new ball under cloudy English skies, India’s pace revolution has redefined its global cricketing image. But as the team prepares for the crucial stretch of the England Test series and eyes major tournaments ahead, an unsettling question lurks beneath the surface—is the pace bench beginning to crumble?
With frontline stars like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj shouldering a heavy burden, injuries, poor form, and inconsistent bench strength have raised alarm bells. The Indian think tank is suddenly staring at an uncomfortable truth—depth in fast bowling isn’t what it used to be.
Bumrah and Siraj, brilliant, but burdened
There’s little doubt that Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are among the world’s best red-ball pacers today. Bumrah’s pinpoint accuracy, pace, and reverse swing have turned him into India’s go-to weapon, while Siraj’s relentless aggression and energy make him the perfect partner.
However, the two have had a punishing calendar. Bumrah, having only recently returned from a stress fracture in his lower back, is being carefully managed. His injury kept him out of the 2022 T20 World Cup and parts of the WTC cycle. Siraj, too, has played continuously across formats, raising concerns of overexposure and burnout. Team management has already hinted at potential rest-and-rotate policies for both in the coming months.
Arshdeep Singh: A Promising Weapon, But Injury Strikes
Among the next-in-line quicks, Arshdeep Singh has shown promise, especially in white-ball cricket. His ability to swing the ball both ways and bowl in the death made him a natural pick for grooming into Test cricket. However, a recent hand injury—possibly a split webbing during practice—has ruled him out of the immediate action. Though not long-term, the injury highlights just how thin India’s reserve pace cupboard currently is.
Prasidh Krishna, the big hope who hasn’t delivered yet
Once billed as India’s enforcer for the longer format, Prasidh Krishna’s career has been hampered by both form and fitness. His height and bounce made him a rare commodity in India’s bowling mix, but recurring injuries and erratic performances have limited his appearances. Even when he has played, consistency has eluded him. With the team management uncertain about his match-readiness, Prasidh’s name now sits low in the pecking order.
Where are the backups?
India once boasted a bench so strong that it could field a second-string pace attack and still compete at the highest level. The Australia tour of 2020–21 is a shining example, where a depleted Indian side—without Bumrah, Shami, Ishant, and Umesh—still pulled off a historic series win.But that era seems to be fading.The likes of Shardul Thakur and Umesh Yadav, though experienced, are not seen as consistent Test match-winners overseas. Navdeep Saini has been in and out due to injuries. Youngsters like Mukesh Kumar, Avesh Khan, and Akash Deep have shown flashes of potential but are yet to perform significantly.
Even Mohammed Shami, the old warhorse, remains on the sidelines with a prolonged injury, and his comeback date is still uncertain.
The systemic gap
The issue isn’t merely about one or two injuries. It is a larger systemic concern—a lack of long-term planning for Test match-ready fast bowlers. With the IPL churning out short-format specialists in abundance, the art of bowling long spells with a red ball, adjusting lines, and enduring grind over five days is slowly being lost.Domestic cricket, particularly the Ranji Trophy, has seen reduced fast bowling workloads, and the scheduling of India A tours—a vital breeding ground for Test talent—has been erratic post-pandemic.With the World Test Championship race tightening and the 2025 Champions Trophy also on the horizon, India needs clarity in its pace plans. Have the cracks already begun to show? Or is this merely a transition phase? Either way, time is ticking. (Agencies)
