Follow UsBefore the start of the five-match Test series against England, Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah delivered a bombshell, stating that he would only play three out of the five Tests. As it turned out, Bumrah played exactly three Tests, picking up 14 wickets, averaging 26.00 with the ball.
The irony, however, was that India did not win a Test on the tour when Bumrah was in the playing XI, as the trio of Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, and Mohammed Siraj won India the clash in Birmingham and London.
In Bumrah’s absence, Siraj stepped up with the ball, picking up 16 wickets, averaging 19.81 with the ball. Former England spinner Monty Panesar reckoned that the Indian team isn’t dependent on Bumrah anymore.
“This Indian team does not depend on Bumrah anymore. Bumrah’s hype is absolutely massive, but let’s be honest, India have a strong bowling attack,” said Panesar, as was quoted by Mid-Day.
“Siraj utilised the conditions really well. He’s a huge asset for Indian cricket. I think he leads the attack now and India need to build the attack around him,” he added about Siraj.
Panesar further said that if India find a third seamer, they can still be a force to reckon with in Test cricket.
“(Prasidh) Krishna is getting better and better with every Test match. I think he can open the bowling with Siraj. They just need a third seamer, Akash Deep or Arshdeep Singh or someone else. Of course, Bumrah is a good bowler, but he wasn’t part of the matches that India won [in this series]. So, I don’t think they depend on him as much,” said Panesar.
Ultimately, it was Siraj’s telling spell that won India the clash at The Oval by six runs, helping them level the series 2-2.