Jasprit Bumrah’s return to the Indian cricket team for the third Test against England at Lord’s, starting July 10, 2025, has sparked intense discussion among fans and experts alike. After missing the second Test at Edgbaston due to workload management, Bumrah’s reentry into the squad is a pivotal moment for India, who are level at 1-1 in the five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series. His absence in Birmingham allowed Akash Deep to shine, picking up a remarkable 10 wickets, including a career-best 6/99, which has complicated India’s selection decisions. However, with Bumrah’s proven track record—210 wickets in 46 Tests at an average of 19.33 and an economy rate of 2.77—his inclusion is seen as a game-changer, especially on a Lord’s pitch expected to favor seamers.
Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar, a revered voice in cricket, has weighed in on the selection dilemma, advocating for Bumrah to replace Prasidh Krishna in the playing XI. Gavaskar’s reasoning hinges on Prasidh’s underwhelming performance in the first two Tests, particularly his expensive figures in the first innings at Edgbaston, where he went wicketless at an economy rate of 5.53. Despite Prasidh’s improvement in the second innings, Gavaskar believes his inconsistency makes him the logical choice to be dropped. This article delves into Gavaskar’s rationale, the team’s strategic considerations, and the broader implications for India’s bowling attack as they aim to take the lead in this crucial series.
Bumrah’s importance to India cannot be overstated. Since 2024, he has been the cornerstone of India’s bowling attack, claiming 78 wickets at an astonishing average of 15.07, with six five-wicket hauls. In contrast, other Indian pacers have collectively managed 80 wickets at a significantly higher average of 33.48, underscoring Bumrah’s dominance. His performance in the first Test at Leeds, where he took a five-wicket haul despite four dropped catches, highlighted his ability to single-handedly keep India competitive. However, his absence in the second Test raised eyebrows, with critics like Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri questioning the decision to rest him when the series was on the line. With the Lord’s Test looming, India’s team management, led by head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill, faces a delicate balancing act between leveraging Bumrah’s brilliance and managing his workload to ensure long-term sustainability.
The Lord’s pitch, as hinted by England coach Brendon McCullum, is expected to offer ample assistance to seamers, with grass cover likely to aid movement. This makes Bumrah’s return particularly timely, as his ability to vary line and length, coupled with his lethal pace, could exploit these conditions. India’s victory at Edgbaston, driven by Akash Deep’s heroics and Mohammed Siraj’s resilience, has boosted morale, but the team cannot afford to let their guard down. England, buoyed by Jofra Archer’s return and a balanced attack, will pose a formidable challenge. The question remains: how will India integrate Bumrah while maintaining the momentum gained from their Birmingham triumph?
Sunil Gavaskar’s Case for Dropping Prasidh Krishna
Sunil Gavaskar’s endorsement of Prasidh Krishna as the player to make way for Bumrah is rooted in a clear assessment of recent performances. Prasidh, a tall pacer with potential, has struggled for consistency in the series. In the first Test at Leeds, he picked up wickets but was expensive, conceding runs at a high rate. At Edgbaston, his first innings was particularly costly, with no wickets and an economy rate of 5.53, though he showed improvement in the second innings with a solitary wicket. Gavaskar, speaking on Sports Tak, emphasized that Prasidh “didn’t look like he was going to break through” and highlighted his erratic lengths as a liability. With only six wickets in two Tests at an average of 55.17, Prasidh’s numbers pale in comparison to Akash Deep’s 10 wickets at Edgbaston and Bumrah’s proven pedigree.
Gavaskar’s perspective aligns with a broader critique of India’s reliance on Bumrah. In the first Test, India’s bowling attack was described as a “one-man army,” with Bumrah carrying the load while Prasidh and Mohammed Siraj struggled to contain England’s batsmen. The dropped catches—six in total, including three by Yashasvi Jaiswal—further exposed the supporting bowlers’ inability to capitalize on opportunities. At Edgbaston, Akash Deep’s emergence as a reliable partner for Siraj mitigated Bumrah’s absence, but Prasidh’s inconsistency remained a concern. Gavaskar’s call to drop Prasidh reflects a pragmatic approach: prioritize a proven match-winner like Bumrah over a bowler still finding his footing in Test cricket.
However, the decision is not without complexity. Prasidh’s height and ability to extract bounce could be valuable on a seamer-friendly Lord’s pitch. His second-innings performance at Edgbaston showed signs of improvement, suggesting he could yet adapt to English conditions. Additionally, India’s vice-captain Rishabh Pant hinted at flexibility in the team’s combination, noting that the pitch’s condition closer to the match could influence whether they opt for a 3+1 (three pacers, one spinner) or 3+2 (three pacers, two spinners) strategy. Dropping Prasidh risks disrupting the balance, especially if India considers playing an extra spinner like Kuldeep Yadav or Washington Sundar to exploit potential turn later in the match. Despite these considerations, Gavaskar’s argument prioritizes immediate impact, with Bumrah’s return seen as non-negotiable.
Strategic Implications for India’s Bowling Attack
Bumrah’s inclusion at Lord’s is more than a simple swap; it reshapes India’s bowling strategy. His ability to generate seam movement and deliver unplayable yorkers makes him a unique asset, particularly against England’s aggressive batting lineup, led by Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope, who capitalized on India’s fielding lapses in Leeds. The Lord’s Test offers India a chance to rectify those errors, with Bumrah’s precision likely to test England’s batsmen early. His return also allows India to pair him with Akash Deep, whose hit-the-deck style and ability to generate swing complement Bumrah’s skill set. Mohammed Siraj, who bowled 31.3 overs at Edgbaston, remains a lock despite workload concerns, having shown resilience and the ability to strike at crucial moments.
The decision to drop Prasidh, as Gavaskar suggests, could also signal a shift toward a more aggressive bowling approach. India’s management has faced criticism for over-relying on Bumrah, with Gavaskar previously questioning the team’s workload management strategy. His comments during the Edgbaston Test, where he contrasted modern gym-centric training with the endurance-based routines of past greats like Kapil Dev, underscored concerns about overprotecting fast bowlers. By bringing Bumrah back, India signals a willingness to take risks to secure a series lead, even if it means taxing their star pacer. However, the team must ensure Bumrah is not overbowled, especially after his back injury during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy ruled him out for two months.
Another factor is the potential inclusion of an extra spinner. Gavaskar had earlier advocated for Kuldeep Yadav to replace Shardul Thakur in the second Test, believing the Birmingham pitch would assist wrist spin. Although Kuldeep was overlooked in favor of batting depth with Washington Sundar and Nitish Reddy, the Lord’s pitch’s grass cover might reduce the likelihood of two spinners. Rishabh Pant’s comments about the pitch’s “changing color” suggest India will monitor conditions closely, potentially sticking with a pace-heavy attack led by Bumrah, Akash Deep, and Siraj, with Ravindra Jadeja as the sole spinner. This combination maximizes India’s wicket-taking potential while maintaining batting depth, a critical factor after the collapses in Leeds (7 for 41 and 6 for 31).
England’s bowling attack, bolstered by Jofra Archer’s return, poses a significant threat. Archer’s pace and Lord’s history could challenge India’s batsmen, who struggled against seam movement in the first Test. India’s top order, including Yashasvi Jaiswal and Karun Nair, must improve their catching and batting consistency to support the bowlers. Gavaskar’s earlier warnings about Jaiswal and Nair’s form add pressure to deliver, as failure could prompt further changes, potentially involving Washington Sundar for added batting stability. The Lord’s Test is a high-stakes battle, and Bumrah’s return could be the decisive factor in tilting the scales in India’s favor.
In conclusion, Sunil Gavaskar’s pick of Prasidh Krishna as the player to be replaced by Jasprit Bumrah reflects a strategic focus on maximizing India’s bowling potency. Bumrah’s return strengthens India’s attack, particularly on a seamer-friendly Lord’s pitch, but it also raises questions about team balance and workload management. With Akash Deep’s emergence and Siraj’s reliability, India has the tools to challenge England, but the outcome will hinge on execution and adaptability. As the series hangs in the balance, Bumrah’s leadership on the field—potentially as a future Test captain, as Gavaskar has advocated—could define India’s fortunes. The Lord’s Test promises to be a thrilling contest, with Bumrah’s return setting the stage for a pivotal chapter in this storied rivalry.
