Heading into Day 5 at Headingley, India find themselves in a not-so-different situation. Jasprit Bumrah has bowled them into contention and now stares at the dressing room door, waiting for the others to walk through it. England need 350 runs; India need 10 wickets. The pitch has cracks and a variable bounce, and cloudy skies are forecast. All these signs point towards an advantage for India. But this can only be the case if Bumrah remains the one-man army like he was in the first innings.
Overdependence on Bumrah again?
This has become a pattern. Bumrah produces brilliance, but the rest of the pace unit rarely keeps up. Day 2 of this Test was the clearest evidence as Bumrah picked up 3 for 48 in 13 incisive overs, moving the ball both ways with pace and control. The other pacers? A shocking 0 for 129 in 27 overs. Siraj was all over the place. Prasidh lacked penetration. Shardul didn’t bowl until the 40th over. After the first innings, Bumrah took 5 for 83, while the other pacers combined to take the remaining five wickets but gave away 288 runs!
India have not forgotten Edgbaston 2022. England chased 378 with ease, and though Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow’s unbeaten centuries were the headlines. Despite Bumrah leading the pack, India ran out of bowling depth and plans. If Day 5 follows that script again, the result may repeat itself.
Siraj’s fire needed, not just flashes
Mohammed Siraj is supposed to be Bumrah’s foil. He’s always full of energy and aggression and is capable of taking crucial wickets. But in this Test, he has lacked execution. His bowling average in SENA countries is now over 34 since 2024. He puts in efforts, no doubt. But Test cricket demands more than effort. Siraj has lacked control and well-thought-out bowling with plans. He can be too erratic at times, something the English batters love to pounce on.
Day 5 is Siraj’s moment. The ball will swing under cloud cover. The pitch will assist seamers. He doesn’t have to be Bumrah. He just has to bowl consistently, hit the pitch hard, and ask tough questions.
High time for Siraj & co to support Bumrah and lead India to Headingley history on Day 5 Inside Sport India.
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