India vs England 2025: What will be Team India’s best pace attack in English conditions? Who will partner Jasprit Bumrah?
Team India’s five-match Test series in England will mark a new era under Shubman Gill’s Test captaincy in two veterans’ -Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli- absence. They are in quest of their first red-ball series victory in the country in 18 years.
To do well in England, bowling combination becomes a critical aspect. In the Bazball era, the home side has offered various unpredictable conditions from spicy green surface to slow and low pitches.
In late June, Headingley, the venue for the opening game, will be the hardest place to bat. Meanwhile, the spinners will come into the equation at the Oval towards the end of the summer.
To succeed in such conditions, the two-time WTC runners-up hope for a balanced and versatile attack with pace, swing, and control. In a five-match series, it will be difficult for the premier pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, to feature in all games. That’s where the rotation comes into the equation.
Here are India’s optimum bowling combination on England tour
Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj, and Arshdeep Singh likely to start in Headingley
Undoubtedly, Jasprit Bumrah will be the leader of the pace attack. His ability to swing the ball with pace and control are crucial factors for the Blue Brigade. The Gujarat pacer also carries the experience of playing in those conditions.
In nine red-ball encounters in England, the right-arm pacer has enjoyed 37 wickets at an average of below 26.27. He has built the record at a strike rate of 57.89, celebrating a couple of five-wicket hauls.
Interestingly, Ajit Agarkar, the chairman of BCCI Men’s selection committee, reckoned that Bumrah won’t be available for all the five clashes.
“Don’t think he’ll be available for all five Tests. Whether it’s four or three, we’ll see based on how the series goes and his workload is. Even if he’s fit for 3-4 Tests, he’ll be an asset for us,” Agarkar said in the press conference.
Mohammed Siraj, who is a workhorse for the national side, will be vital to bring Bumrah back for short and sharp spells. In six Tests in England, the Hyderabad-born has accumulated 23 wickets at an average of 34. He has the knack of picking vital wickets.
With Arshdeep Singh in the squad, it should be a straightforward decision to get him into the playing eleven. He can challenge both the inside and outside edge of the batter. Playing for Kent during the County Championship 2023 in Division 1, the Punjab-born picked up 13 wickets in five clashes.
Agarkar highlighted how Arshdeep could use his height to swing the red ball in both ways:
“He’s a quality bowler and has had a taste of county as well. He plays domestic when he can. A tall guy (who) can bowl with the new ball, has the body of work in red-ball cricket, and has recent form in the last couple of years.” The former India all-rounder told the reporters.
Read More: Expectations from India’s new Test captain Shubman Gill
Prasidh Krishna could come handy as a replacement
Prasidh Krishna impressed the selectors during the fifth Sydney Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25. He has used his height to find the stiff bounce off the surface, which could be hard to adjust for the batters.
The Bengaluru-born has also been in terrific touch in the IPL 2025 for the Gujarat Titans. He has already picked up 21 scalps in 13 innings at an average of 19.66 and an economy rate of a touch over eight. Krishna could prove to be a major aspect of the series for the second Birmingham Test.
During the last Ashes 2023, Australia’s bowlers used the short balls to bounce out a few England batters, especially Harry Brook. Even on the slow Oval pitch in the final Test, Krishna’s pace and bounce could be vital.
Read More: Notable omissions from India’s squad for England tour
Ravindra Jadeja and Nitish Reddy- two front-line all-rounders
Undoubtedly, Ravindra Jadeja will start the series in the eleven. Over the years, he has displayed his skill of contributing vital lower order runs and picking wickets, irrespective of the condition. The southpaw has drilled 642 runs at 29.18 with three Test fifties in England, besides bagging 27 wickets in 21 innings.
On the other hand, Nitish Reddy, after his heroics in the BGT 2024-25, will look to add more value. The right-handed batter was consistently among the runs and finished the trip with 298 runs, including a century in Melbourne.
“Shardul (Thakur) is a bowling allrounder, sometimes you need a player like that depending on team balance. He’s going on the A tour as well. NKR is a batting allrounder at this point, hopefully, his bowling will come along as well.” Agarkar explained the challenge aw Reddy
Shardul Thakur, Washington Sundar & Kuldeep Yadav as replacements
The Shubman Gill-led side is likely to start with Bumrah, Siraj, Arshdeep, Jadeja, and Reddy in the line-up. However, they will have the option of Shardul Thakur, who can be handy with both the new and old ball.
Thakur also has the skill of batting with the tail to add valuable runs. Washington Sundar is another bowler that the tourists could use to tackle the left-handed batters. A few teams in the past used two spinners at the Oval. India can think of using Kuldeep Yadav if the surface offers spin at the early stage of the game.
Lastly, Agarkar mentioned that Mohammed Shami ‘had a little bit of a setback over the past week’ and the medical team suggested avoiding him at the moment.
Read More: Team India’s schedule in remainder of 2025
