Jasprit Bumrah is India’s fast-bowling revolution and is the kind of bowler captains dream of, someone who can turn games in a spell. And yet, India’s recent
trend in Test cricket sees them having better runs without him.
The just-concluded Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy saw the series end in a draw. India drew the five-Test series 2-2, but it was in the Tests without Bumrah, notably the second and fifth, where they looked more clinical as a bowling unit. Bumrah, who played three Tests and picked 14 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls, the team results didn’t go India’s way.
It was only after he had rested, due to a heavy workload India bounced back. Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Akash Deep stepped up brilliantly in his absence, with Siraj picking a stunning 5-wicket haul on the final day at The Oval to seal a thrilling six-run win and level the series. There is a slight difference when India plays with and without him.
India’s Test win % with and without Bumrah
While he remains India’s most bankable bowler, one who regularly makes things happen when others go flat. But it is surprising how India adapts their attack around him. With Bumrah in the XI, the others often tend to bowl around him, almost as if waiting for him to do the damage. Without him, the responsibility spreads out, and that seems to liberate the rest of the bowling group.
| With | Without | |
| 48 | Test matches | 28 |
| 20 | Won | 20 |
| 23 | Lost | 6 |
| 6 | Drawn | 4 |
| 41.67% | Win Rate | 71.43% |
Since 2022, India has won more Tests abroad without Bumrah than with him, a pattern that showed up in Bangladesh, the West Indies, and now England. Part of that is down to how well the likes of Mohammed Shami, Siraj, and the newer names have come up the ranks.
Bumrah’s injury has often kept him out of action. He missed the 2022 T20 World Cup, the WTC Final in 2023, Champions Trophy in 2025 due to a back stress fracture.
