ENG vs IND 2025: Why India must strengthen their bowling attack to take 20 wickets and win Tests.
India batters saved the Test at Old Trafford in Manchester to keep the five-match series against England alive. They need to win the fifth Test at The Oval to draw the series 2-2. However, India have a few pain points that they need to address ahead of the final Test.
First, except India’s second innings of the Lord’s Test, India batters have been in good nick. Captain Shubman Gill has led from the front, going past 700 runs in the series. He has been ably supported by openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar.
Here’s a look at the batting performance of India in the series:
Except for Jaiswal, all India’s batters have been averaging 50 in the series so far, with Gill leading from the front with an average of 90.25. Gill has scored a record four tons in his debut Test series as captain. Jaiswal too has contributed with the bat, making 2 fifties and a ton.
Read More: ENG vs IND 2025: Should Jasprit Bumrah play in Oval Test?
Team India’s Bowling not up to expectations
However, except the second Test at Edgbaston, India’s bowlers have failed to deceive so far. Here’s a look at how India’s bowlers have fared in the series so far.
Bumrah stands out
Jasprit Bumrah has been India’s best bowler in the series so far, despite a forgettable outing with the ball at Old Trafford. He has the joint most number of wickets (14) so far in the series by an India bowler. He shares the milestone with Mohammed Siraj, who with Akash Deep, had their best time at Edgbaston when the duo picked up 17 wickets among themselves.
But since then, both Siraj and Deep have not been able to replicate the same success. They have struggled with their consistency, unable to maintain a disciplined line and length.
Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja have done their bit with 7 wickets each, but could have done better. Prasidh Krishna, Shardul Thakur and Nitish Kumar Reddy have failed to deceive so far. While Krishna and Reddy at least have taken a few important wickets, Thakur the bowler, does not seem to enjoy the confidence of his captain, and has been underbowled so far. Anshul Kamboj had cut a sorry figure in the fourth Test with his wayward bowling and lack of pace.
So, what could be the India’s possible bowling combination that could get them 20 wickets to win the fifth Test and draw the series 2-2?
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Kuldeep Yadav in the XI
Bring Kuldeep Yadav to trouble the Englishmen. Kuldeep, a left-arm wrist spinner, has the capability to turn the ball even on unresponsive pitches. England batters are not used to play spinners of the calibre and skills of Kuldeep. Hence, Kuldeep could pose a real danger to the Englishmen even if The Oval pitch does not have much to offer to spinners.
Siraj, who has already played four Tests, could be asked to lead the attack as Bumrah might be rested. Siraj turns out to be the most experienced bowler in the absence of Bumrah. If Deep is fit, he should open the new ball with Siraj. If Arshdeep Singh is fit to play, he could take the third seamer’s spot in the XI. However, Krishna joins the XI if Arshdeep fails to make it.
Sundar, Jadeja are irreplaceable at the moment as they not only add batting depth, but break stands and take important wickets. Hence, there is a huge chance that India may bowl three pacers, and three spinners, with Kuldeep coming in for Thakur. India could be compromising a bit in batting depth by benching Thakur, but India need to get their bowling combination right to pick up 20 wickets. India’s batters are already in form to fill the small gaps left by the absence of another all-rounder in the XI.
Read More: ENG vs IND, 2025: Kuldeep Yadav could be the X-factor India could try in dry conditions
