Huge concern that England's seamers being out-bowled at home
The visitors have not met England with classical-style seam, but with an attack tailor-made for flat wickets. After England's loss last week, Ben Stokes likened conditions in Edgbaston to those in the subcontinent. While Bumrah is a once-in-a-generation bowler, the approach of Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj reflects their experience bowling in India.
Indian pitches generally offer less lateral movement than those in England. What seam movement there is in India tends to dissipate quickly, leading new-ball bowlers to embrace attack during their small window of opportunity. So quick bowlers in India tend to bowl straighter, attacking the stumps more and forcing the batsmen to play at more deliveries – accepting the risk of being driven that comes from embracing a more adventurous approach with the new ball.
Rhythm of Test cricket in England has changed
This template is ideally suited to the English summer of 2025. A combination of slow, docile pitches and the lack of assistance offered after the Dukes ball has gone soft means that the rhythm of Test cricket in England has changed. Rather than seam bowlers enjoying considerable assistance throughout the innings, they are neutered after the new ball.
It is a challenge that India's quick bowlers have adapted to better than England's. So far this series, India's seamers have generated both more swing and seam movement than England's, and simply possessed a greater threat. While India's seamers average a combined 33.9, England's average a combined 44.3. The gap of 10.4 runs would be even greater had Bumrah and co received better support from India's fielders in the first Test at Headingley.
The first half of the series has presented England with an unfamiliar problem: the sight of their own seamers being out-bowled at home. England's prospects of winning the series hinge on whether their quick bowlers can close the gap.
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