20-JUN-2025, 04:30 PM Since the beginning of 2024, Jasprit Bumrah has stood tall as the only consistent beacon in India’s fluctuating Test bowling unit. While India continues to remain a dominant force in world cricket, much of its recent Test success owes itself to the brilliance, resilience, and match-winning spells of one man — Jasprit Bumrah. As other bowlers struggled with form, fitness, or consistency, Bumrah has emerged as a lone crusader, holding India’s bowling fort across diverse and often challenging conditions.
Jasprit Bumrah: A Test Titan in the Modern Era
Jasprit Bumrah: Leading the Pace Battery Singlehandedly
With the Indian bowling attack undergoing frequent transitions, Jasprit Bumrah has shouldered the responsibility of being the attack leader, often without stable support. Whether it’s overseas or home conditions, green tops or slow turners, Bumrah has showcased his
and hunger to deliver under pressure.
Since 2024, in series against England, South Africa, and New Zealand, Bumrah has outbowled every Indian teammate by a wide margin — in both average and strike rate. His ability to pick up wickets in crucial spells, dismantle top orders, and reverse the ball late into day four or five has made him indispensable.
In the ongoing WTC cycle, Bumrah leads the wicket charts for India, often picking up 4 or 5-wicket hauls while his fellow bowlers struggled to hold one end.
Challenges Around Bumrah: Lack of Support from Other Pacers
Unstable Bowling Combinations Impacting Team Balance
One of the stark realities for Indian cricket in this phase has been the lack of a consistent pace partner for Jasprit Bumrah. Mohammed Shami has been out with injury for most of 2024. Mohammed Siraj has had a mixed bag, often leaking runs or going wicketless in crucial spells. Youngsters like Mukesh Kumar and Avesh Khan have shown promise, but none have stepped up to consistently support Bumrah.
This has meant that Bumrah, more often than not, carries the bulk of the bowling workload, especially on unresponsive pitches. Even spinners like Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, legendary in their own right, have not had the same impact outside Asia in this stretch, further increasing reliance on Bumrah.
Jasprit Bumrah : Record Since 2024: A Statistical Standout
Numbers That Prove His Dominance
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Matches Played (2024 – present): 11
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Wickets Taken: 52
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Average: 21.34
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Strike Rate: 42.6
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5-Wicket Hauls: 4
These numbers reflect not just performance, but the sheer match-winning impact of Bumrah. In high-pressure situations — Day 5 defenses, new-ball bursts, and long spells — Bumrah has risen to the occasion, often turning the tide for India.
In the recent home series against England, he bowled one of the finest spells in modern Indian cricket — 6/35 in Vizag — that helped India bounce back in the series. Analysts have praised his control, reverse swing mastery, and ability to make breakthroughs on flat decks.
Fitness and Workload: Jasprit Bumrah : Silent Battle
Managing Injuries While Remaining India’s Bowling Mainstay
Behind every successful Jasprit Bumrah spell is a story of intense physical and mental preparation. After suffering a long injury layoff in 2022–2023, Bumrah returned stronger, wiser, and more refined in his approach. His bowling rhythm, unique action, and energy have not waned — if anything, his accuracy and patience have improved.
With a bowling lineup that lacks depth due to constant changes, the workload on Bumrah has raised concerns. The Indian team management has been cautious, rotating him where possible, but during Test series of high importance, Bumrah remains the unmissable spearhead.
Why Bumrah Matters More Than Ever in Test Cricket
The Dependable Match-Winner India Can’t Afford to Rest
In an era where fast bowlers across countries struggle to play back-to-back Tests, Jasprit Bumrah has redefined durability and consistency. While pacers are often effective in short bursts, Bumrah’s strength lies in bowling long, intelligent spells, often creating pressure that fetches rewards for the team.
He remains crucial to India’s WTC ambitions. With crucial tours to Australia and the return series against England in 2025, Bumrah’s role as the lead pacer will determine India’s success abroad — especially given the untested nature of the backup pacers.
Jasprit Bumrah’s Leadership On and Off the Field
Mentor for Young Bowlers and a Strategic Thinker
Not only is Jasprit Bumrah India’s most lethal bowler, but he has also grown into a quiet leader. He often mentors younger bowlers in the squad, shares his experience during nets, and brings tactical inputs during DRS calls and field placements.
His short stint as captain in the past has also showcased his cricketing IQ, and many experts believe he plays a bigger leadership role in the Test setup than the title suggests.
What Experts and Fans Are Saying About Bumrah’s Brilliance
Former players like Zaheer Khan, Michael Vaughan, and Ricky Ponting have hailed Bumrah as the most complete fast bowler in the world today. His ability to generate pace, swing, and reverse — coupled with accuracy and calm under pressure — makes him a rare asset.
“If India has a shot at winning overseas consistently, it’s because of Jasprit Bumrah. He gives them the X-factor,” said Ponting during a recent broadcast.
Fans, too, have been vocal on social media, hailing Bumrah as the “Bowling Kohli” — a reference to his aggression, consistency, and hunger to win.
Conclusion: Jasprit Bumrah – The Cornerstone of Indian Test Bowling
In an era marked by change, transition, and challenges, Jasprit Bumrah has emerged as a constant force in Indian cricket. His evolution from a white-ball specialist to India’s most feared red-ball warrior speaks volumes of his dedication and craft.
As India continues its march in the ongoing WTC cycle, one thing is certain: wherever Bumrah plays, hope follows. For now, he remains India’s lone crusader with the red ball, and the team will look to him once again to lead with fire and finesse.
Source : ANI
