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The Indian cricket team finds itself in a precarious situation early in their long tour, grappling with the potential absence of their key player, Jasprit Bumrah, for the second Test against England at Edgbaston. This follows a disappointing loss at Headingley, a match they were widely expected to win. Bumrah, after a demanding workload of 44 overs in the first Test, is likely to be rested, with a planned return for the third Test at Lord's on July 10. This potential absence raises significant concerns about India's ability to secure 20 wickets in the match, a crucial requirement for victory, particularly given their struggles in the first Test. The relatively short timeframe before the Birmingham Test intensifies the pressure on the bowling department, which needs to swiftly address its shortcomings. The article suggests that the core issue lies in the lack of skill, discipline, and strategic execution among the Indian pacers, areas that require time and dedicated effort to improve. The team's schedule includes a two-day break followed by intensive net sessions and strategic discussions, a process of continuous refinement aimed at overcoming the Headingley setback. The central question confronting the team management is how to achieve the necessary breakthroughs without Bumrah's exceptional wicket-taking abilities. The bowlers chosen for the Edgbaston Test will be under intense scrutiny, their performance serving as a direct response to this challenging scenario. While adversity can sometimes unearth unexpected talent and leadership, the article acknowledges the practical realities of facing formidable opponents like Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley on pitches that may not be entirely conducive to bowling. The final day of the Headingley Test exposed vulnerabilities in the Indian bowling attack, as the English openers effectively neutralized the bowlers through calculated aggression and precise shot selection. This highlighted a deficiency in both the skill and the tactical approach of the Indian pacers, suggesting either inadequate pre-match planning by the coaching staff or an inability of the bowlers to execute the planned strategies effectively. Ultimately, India's inability to defend a target of 371 in the fourth innings, compounded by unfavorable weather conditions, resulted in a 0-1 deficit in the series.
Analyzing the dismissals of key batsmen in the first Test reveals a recurring pattern: the most effective method for taking wickets was consistently the delivery pitched full. This observation is supported by Sachin Tendulkar's advice to Jasprit Bumrah, emphasizing the importance of targeting the stumps. The conclusion is that a full delivery aimed at the stumps, forcing batsmen to engage, significantly increases the chances of dismissals through bowled, leg before wicket (LBW), or caught-behind scenarios. The article highlights examples of batsmen like Duckett, Crawley, Joe Root, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Karun Nair, and Shubman Gill, all of whom were dismissed by full-pitched deliveries that either moved away or maintained their line to hit the stumps. The Indian bowlers under the most intense scrutiny, Prasidh Krishna and Shardul Thakur, struggled to consistently adhere to this ideal line and length, particularly during the crucial first session on the final day when India failed to take any wickets, allowing the English openers to rapidly close in on the target. Despite the Headingley pitch being dry and brown, the fifth day was marked by cloud cover and drizzle, creating atmospheric moisture that favored swing bowling. This presented opportunities to target the stumps and induce edges. Experts suggest that full balls generate more swing due to their extended time in the air, a theory that Prasidh and Thakur either disregarded or were instructed to deviate from. While Bumrah and Siraj, though initially wicketless, managed to maintain pressure on the openers and control the run rate, the introduction of Prasidh and Shardul relieved the pressure, making scoring significantly easier for the English batsmen. Prasidh's first over, starting with a yorker, seemed less a strategic surprise tactic and more an attempt to implement the 'bowling full' theory. His subsequent delivery, though still over-pitched, led to a shortish ball, resulting in Duckett edging the ball, temporarily relieving the pressure. This incident underscored the urgent need for India's third pacer to make an immediate impact. The article draws a parallel with Tongue and Carse, who performed admirably despite limited Test experience, emphasizing the potential for Arshdeep or Akash Deep, whoever replaces Bumrah, to similarly rise to the occasion.
Thakur's first over was particularly problematic, beginning with a half-volley on the legs that was directed straight to a fielder, preventing a boundary. However, the following ball, similarly pitched, was flicked for an easy boundary. In the overs bowled by Prasidh and Thakur together, from the 18th to the 23rd, England scored at nearly six runs per over, shifting the momentum decisively. England's score rapidly increased, easing the pressure and squandering the favorable conditions. The article stresses the importance of India's third and fourth pacers mastering the art of hitting the ideal zone from their very first delivery. Siraj also needs to refine his pacing strategy. While his nip-backer has troubled batsmen in the past, it has not consistently resulted in wickets in England. His tendency to hit the deck has either missed the stumps or lacked the necessary bite to induce outside edges. Additionally, his scrambled seam ball, another trusted weapon, has proven ineffective in English conditions, at least at Headingley. The article emphasizes the need for a pacer with a proud seam who can maintain a full length and target the off-stump, essentially describing the style of Mohammed Shami. These skills and the necessary discipline are typically honed through extensive net sessions. However, beyond technical skills, the temperament to lead a pace bowling attack is equally crucial. In Bumrah's absence, Siraj will have to assume this role. A specific incident is highlighted where Siraj, despite bowling well, became visibly dejected after dropped catches and near misses. Bumrah, recognizing his teammate's frustration, provided encouragement and guidance, a role previously filled by Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami for Siraj. In Bumrah's absence, Siraj must not only be the strike bowler but also a mentor and motivator for the other bowlers. An anecdote is shared of Siraj expressing his faith in Bumrah as a game-changer. Now, Siraj himself needs to step up and become that game-changer for the team.
Source: Jasprit Bumrah likely to miss second Test against England; India look for replacement, new plan