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India Gazette
8 hours ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
An analysis of Bumrah-Siraj's massive workload in Test cricket as Indian pace struggles for depth
London [UK], June 27 (ANI): As India look to navigate through the remainder of the five-match England Test series, plenty of eyeballs will be on the workload of their frontline pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, particularly the former, who have thrown down the majority of overs for the Asian giant since the start of 2020 and it is their wickets on which India's success hinges on. With Bumrah having a five-wicket haul in the first innings of the Leeds Test and going wicketless in the second, he threw down almost 44 overs in the first Test. He is set to play only three Tests this series. The question is, will he play? especially with Siraj not doing so well since the tour to Australia. Bumrah's inclusion is something way beyond selection strategy as it is his action which places strain on his body, particularly his back. The workload management in his case does not become only tactical, but something of a massive importance. After the Sydney match which Bumrah left midway, Bumrah had a three-month injury layoff, which caused him to miss the ICC Champions Trophy won by India and four Indian Premier League (IPL). In 12 matches for MI, he bowled 47.2 overs, taking 18 wickets. The first Leeds Test was his first international outing and resulted in a massive workload, as he bowled 43.4 overs across these five days, as per Wisden. While the team has decided to have Bumrah play just three Tests, it begs another question: What about Siraj? While Bumrah's workload has been a massive topic of debate among fans and experts, Siraj's workload has gone unnoticed in shadows of a more celebrated, popular figure. Since the start of 2020, Siraj has bowled a total of 625.5 overs in Tests across 19 Australia, England, New Zealand and South Africa (SENA countries), as compared to Bumrah's 751.2 in 22 Tests, with 101 wickets at an average of 20.95(6th-highest across the worldwide level), as per Wisden. This year itself, Siraj has delivered 69 overs across two SENA Tests, including 41 at Leeds. Unlike Bumrah, he is often played or is expected to play through a series without any rotation. Now, taking into account Tests all over the world, Bumrah has delivered 1030.1 overs, as compared to Siraj's 925.2 overs. Among the 12 other Indian pacers used since 2020, none of them have touched the 500-over mark and have a combined wicket count of just 188, as compared to 250 scalps taken by Bumrah-Siraj. There is a massive over-reliance on these two and lack of depth in Indian fast bowling, particularly for SENA countries, which are more pace dominant. Australia and England have been able to enjoy this depth, often debuting new faces and giving chances to domestic cricket veterans. But the same is not true for India. Since 2020, Bumrah has delivered 25.16 per cent of total pace overs of Team India, highest among all countries. Siraj is at number sixth, with a total percentage of 22.38. Bumrah has bowled an average of 34.15 overs per Test, while the number is 32.9 for Siraj. India's third and fourth seamers at Leeds, Prasidh Krishna and Shardul Thakur delivered a combined 51 overs, getting just seven wickets. Prasidh's expensive economy rate often let England score easy runs, while Shardul bowled barely 16 overs. This workload has increased only since last year. Since 2024, across conditions, Indian pacers have bowled a total of 1,112.2 overs. Only two pacers have managed above 150 overs, Bumrah with 410.4 and Siraj with 355.3. These two have delivered 69.3 per cent of the total balls by Indian pacers. During the ICC World Test Championship, the scope for missing Tests is less as India play more against likes of England and Australia. Including the ongoing England series, India will play six more away games in SENA during the 2025-27 cycle, including five Tests against Australia at home in early 2027. So, preservation of pacers and their workload management is even more crucial. What will be India's bowling combination during the second Edgbaston Test from July 2, will India play left-armer Arshdeep Singh, spinner Kuldeep Singh, all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy or seamer Akash Deep? Will Bumrah miss out? Only time will tell. (ANI)
Time of India
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
IND vs ENG: 'Sir, don't bowl ...' - Mohammed Siraj slammed after opening Test defeat
Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has expressed criticism of 's bowling performance following India's five-wicket loss to England in the first Test at Leeds. The Headingley pitch offered little assistance to bowlers, yet Jasprit Bumrah managed to secure a five-wicket haul in the first innings. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj claimed three and two wickets respectively, though both conceded runs at high economy rates of 6.40 and 4.50. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. The Indian bowling performance deteriorated further in the second innings. England openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett formed a 188-run partnership while chasing 371 runs. England successfully achieved the target with five wickets remaining. Krishna and Shardul Thakur each took two wickets, while claimed one. Both Bumrah and Siraj went wicketless despite bowling 19 and 14 overs respectively. Siraj's total wicket tally for the match was two from 41 overs. "People say Mohammed Siraj tried very hard, bowls with his heart. Sir, don't bowl with your heart, bowl with your mind and with line and length where we can get wickets," said Kaif on his YouTube channel. Team India Reach Birmingham | Updates on Arrival & Schedule "Why didn't Bumrah take wickets in the second innings? It's because the batters played defensively. They attacked Krishna, Shardul, and Siraj. Gameplan becomes very easy when you know Bumrah will bowl 4-5 overs, play him well," Kaif said. "In the same bowling lineup, you give him (Gill) Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, and Bumrah. I guarantee you Gill will win this Test series. Those are the bowlers who know how to take 20 wickets," Kaif concluded. IND vs ENG Series Schedule:
Time of India
a day ago
- Sport
- Time of India
'How many dams will Jasprit Bumrah be able to construct?': R Ashwin tears into Mohammed Siraj
Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj (AP Photo) NEW DELHI: Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has raised concerns over Mohammed Siraj 's performance in the first Test against England at Headingley, Leeds, urging the pacer to focus on controlling the flow of runs rather than solely aiming for wickets. Siraj endured a tough outing, conceding runs at an economy rate of 4.05 and taking just two wickets across both innings. On a surface that offered little assistance to bowlers, Siraj gave away 122 runs in 27 overs in the first innings while claiming two wickets. His struggles continued in the second innings, where he went wicketless in 14 overs and conceded 51 runs. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! "My only question to Siraj is... can you dry up the run flow? You don't have to pick up wickets. But can you not give away 4-5 runs every over? If runs are being leaked, then you have to bring Bumrah back into the attack. How many dams will Bumrah be able to construct?" Ashwin said on his YouTube channel. Jasprit Bumrah stood out as India's best bowler in England's first innings, claiming a five-wicket haul. Prasidh Krishna also picked up three wickets but was expensive, conceding runs at an economy of 6.40. Spotted in Leeds! Indian Cricket Team Hits the Streets Ahead of 1st Test vs England "Also, he gets tired, and his spells are pushed, and by then, partnerships are forged. Or you'd have to go with Jadeja, who has to step in and stem the flow of runs. Prasidh is playing for the first time, and he is inexperienced. So Siraj has to play the bankable role. Remember how Morne Morkel used to bowl 2/43 in 20 overs? That should be his role. In Bazball, you could go for 2/58, I guess. Siraj has to play that role, and if he is effective in it, then it would make a huge difference," said Ashwin. The veteran spinner further emphasized that Test cricket is as much about support roles as it is about individual brilliance. Team India Reach Birmingham | Updates on Arrival & Schedule "I agree that wicket-taking is important in Test cricket. But in Test cricket, you also bowl for one another. Ishant Sharma used to do it wonderfully. He played the Morkel role very well. He would hold the pressure on one end, and would have given just 40-odd runs after an entire day's play. Of course, I am not asking Siraj to do the same, but regulate the leakage of runs," he added. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
NDTV
a day ago
- Sport
- NDTV
"If Runs Are Being Leaked...": Mohammed Siraj Asked Tough Questions By Ravichandran Ashwin
Mohammed Siraj had a poor outing in the first Test against England at Headingley, Leeds. On the surface that had no help for bowlers, the right-arm pacer struggled to pick wickets and also leaked runs at an economy of 4.05. Siraj bowled 27 overs in the first innings and picked up two wickets while leaking 122 runs. During the second innings, he bowled 14 overs and gave away 51 runs while failing to pick a single wicket. Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has urged the pacer to understand his role. "My only question to Siraj is... can you dry up the run flow? You don't have to pick up wickets. But can you not give away 4-5 runs every over? If runs are being leaked, then you have to bring Bumrah back into the attack. How many dams will Bumrah be able to construct? " Ashwin said in a video on his YouTube channel. Jasprit Bumrah was the standout India bowler during England's first innings, picking up a five-wicket haul. Krishna too accounted for three wickets, but he leaked runs at an economy of 6.40. "Also, he gets tired, and his spells are pushed, and by then, partnerships are forged. Or you'd have to go with Jadeja, who has to step in and stem the flow of runs. Prasidh is playing for the first time, and he is inexperienced. So Siraj has to play the bankable role. Remember how Morne Morkel used to bowl 2/43 in 20 overs? That should be his role. In Bazball, you could go for 2/58, I guess. Siraj has to play that role, and if he is effective in it, then it would make a huge difference," said Ashwin. "I agree that wicket-taking is important in Test cricket. But in Test cricket, you also bowl for one another. Ishant Sharma used to do it wonderfully. He played the Morkel role very well. He would hold the pressure on one end, and would have given just 40-odd runs after an entire day's play. Of course, I am not asking Siraj to do the same, but regulate the leakage of runs," he added.
India Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- India Today
Be a cushion to Jasprit Bumrah: R Ashwin asks Siraj to take new role in 2nd Test
Ravichandran Ashwin was critical of Mohammed Siraj's performance in the first Test against England at Headingley, Leeds, which saw the Indian team suffer a crushing defeat by five wickets. The former Indian cricketer has asked the senior bowler to step up and take responsibility by stopping the runs conceded from his bowling to help build the pressure from one on his YouTube channel, openly admitted that Siraj does not need to take wickets consistently to prove his worth. In the recently concluded Test, the bowler from Hyderabad looked to be trying too hard to get a wicket and did not build up to it as most classical bowlers tend to a result, with Siraj leaking runs, it put the pressure on Bumrah to get the breakthrough, despite his workload management issues. "My only question to Siraj you dry up the run flow? You don't have to pick up wickets. But can you not give away 4-5 runs every over? If runs are being leaked, then you have to bring Bumrah back into the attack. How many dams will Bumrah be able to construct? " Ashwin asked."Also, he gets tired, and his spells are pushed, and by then, partnerships are forged. Or you'd have to go with Jadeja, who has to step in and stem the flow of runs. Prasidh is playing for the first time, and he is inexperienced," he HAS TO PLAY THE BANKABLE ROLE: ASHWINadvertisementAshwin even asked Siraj to take tips from the Indian bowling coach, Morne Morkel, who used to showcase brilliant accuracy over spells during his Test career for South Africa. During his time with the Proteas, he formed a lethal trio alongside Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander."So Siraj has to play the bankable role. Remember how Morne Morkel used to bowl 2/43 in 20 overs? That should be his role. In Bazball, you could go for 2/58, I guess. Siraj has to play that role, and if he is effective in it, then it would make a huge difference," Ashwin understands the role of wicket-taking in the longest format, but he also highlighted the role of bowling partnerships and how the units needed to work for each other as well, working as a collective to get a batter out as opposed to banking on one man to get the job done."I agree that wicket-taking is important in Test cricket. But in Test cricket, you also bowl for one another. Ishant Sharma used to do it wonderfully. He played the Morkel role very well. He would hold the pressure on one end, and would have given just 40-odd runs after an entire day's play. Of course, I am not asking Siraj to do the same, but regulate the leakage of runs," he NOT SIRAJ, THEN WHO?advertisementTo be fair, Siraj is not someone who is known for his accuracy. It's his pace and the ability to use the wobbly seam that are his best traits. But Ashwin does not think that is as important as finding someone who has the discipline and skill to bowl accurately over a long period of time."You can't just bowl aggressively throughout your spell. He has to take that responsibility and be a cushion to Bumrah and protect Prasidh, who is new on the side. Let him pick those wickets throughout the day, and not let him blast out and want to pick five wickets in a seven-over spell. But if Siraj is going to continue his style, and Prasidh is also going to leak runs, then you need someone to come in and play the holding role," he is probably where the Indian team is missing someone like Mohammed Shami. However, his chances of making a comeback come down to his fitness issues and whether the team still considers him an asset despite his possible individual is Arshdeep Singh, who has yet to get the chance in red-ball cricket. His additional variety with his left-arm pace can also be a handy asset on the side, if he can prove himself in the long run.- EndsMust Watch
