Arshdeep or Akash Deep: Who Will Step in for Jasprit Bumrah in the Edgbaston Test?
Sayuri YukiIndia faces the difficult challenge of replacing Jasprit Bumrah, with Shubman Gill likely to select either Akash Deep or Arshdeep Singh.
Table of Contents
India Faces Tough Choices to Replace Jasprit Bumrah Ahead of Second Test
Although it was known Jasprit Bumrah would miss two of the five Tests in England this summer, his absence remains a major setback for India following their defeat at Leeds. With the pace attack already struggling at Headingley, India now faces the daunting challenge of replacing the world’s best fast bowler.
Options for seamers are limited—Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Shardul Thakur have all played but failed to impress. This leaves India with just two realistic choices: Akash Deep, who could return to face the team he debuted against, or Arshdeep Singh, a white-ball regular hoping for his Test debut.
Deciding between these two is a dilemma for head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill, who must carefully weigh several factors before making their final call.
The case for Akash Deep
Akash Deep burst onto the scene with a fiery debut against England’s top three in the fourth Test of the 2024 series at Ranchi. Using the new red ball expertly, he dismantled the English top order by dismissing openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, as well as Ollie Pope. His ability to generate lateral movement from a good length helped India seize an ideal start, paving the way for a comfortable victory.
As a potential replacement for Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep offers similar skills in seam movement, though his bowling style and skiddy action are reminiscent of Mohammed Shami. However, Shami’s less-than-stellar record in England—averaging over 40—raises concerns about how Akash might fare in similar conditions. Akash’s Test average of 35.20 across seven matches indicates he hasn’t consistently built on his impressive debut.
Additionally, Akash has been criticised for occasional wayward bowling, notably during India’s winter tour of Australia. With Siraj and Prasidh Krishna both proving slightly expensive and allowing England to dictate play at Headingley, India may seek a bowler who offers more control—even if that means trying to fill the massive void left by one of modern cricket’s most lethal wicket-takers, Jasprit Bumrah.
The case for Arshdeep Singh
Arshdeep Singh brings some valuable red-ball experience in English conditions, having played five County Championship matches for Kent last year. He claimed 13 wickets, though at a somewhat expensive average of 41.76. Renowned as one of the world’s premier white-ball bowlers, Arshdeep was a standout in India’s T20 World Cup victory last year and is the leading wicket-taker in the shortest format for India. However, his success has yet to fully translate to the longer format, where patience and sustained spells are critical; his Test career average hovers above 30.
One of Arshdeep’s key advantages is his left-arm angle, providing variety to India’s predominantly right-arm pace attack. This alternate angle could offer captain Shubman Gill an important tactical option, especially when other bowlers struggle to make breakthroughs. His proven ability to control the run rate in T20 cricket will also be valuable against an aggressive England lineup likely to push the scoring.
Perhaps the greatest reason for optimism lies in Arshdeep’s improved ability to swing the ball both ways, a skill he has honed over the past year. Given the new ball, he could consistently challenge both edges—crucial against England’s in-form batsman Ben Duckett and others.
Sign Up Fast For E2Bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration!
Subscribe to my newsletter
Read articles from Sayuri Yuki directly inside your inbox. Subscribe to the newsletter, and don't miss out.
Written by