By Arshdeep Singh is eager to step up, but who else is ready among the 21 seam-bowling options selected for the Duleep Trophy? With Navdeep Saini and Gaurav Yadav replacing Mohammad Siraj and Umran Malik in the Duleep Trophy squads, it’s a pertinent time to ask: Is there an underlying crisis in India’s Test setup as they aim for a third ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final?
If Rohit Sharma’s team reaches next year’s WTC final at Lord’s, they would have played 16 Tests (11 overseas) by August 2025. While the main fast bowling lineup of Bumrah, Shami, and Siraj appears stable, the lack of backup seamers who can perform in foreign conditions is a growing concern as India’s marathon Test schedule begins in September.
Who’s Ready to Support Bumrah
With Jasprit Bumrah rested, Mohammad Shami yet to regain full fitness, and Siraj out due to illness, the national selectors have gone all out in picking 21 seam-bowling options for the upcoming Duleep Trophy. This red-ball tournament, which has held limited value in recent years, now serves as a crucial testing ground to identify the pacers who can step up for the Bangladesh and New Zealand Tests and the high-profile Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia in November. “It’s about identifying the right bowlers and giving them opportunities to be ready for the Australian tour. Many bowlers hit 140-150 kph in the IPL, but they need the right exposure,” says former India bowling coach Bharat Arun.
In this phase of transition, India has fielded three pacers – Mukesh Kumar, Prasidh Krishna, and Akash Deep – rotating them across six Tests in 2023-24. These bowlers remain strong contenders for the squad for the Australia tour and beyond. However, Arun emphasizes the importance of red-ball experience. “There must be a first time. Red ball cricket is something these bowlers must get used to. We have time, but we need to prepare by giving them enough overs under their belt.”
With Siraj out of the Duleep Trophy’s first round due to illness, the Test match experience of the participating pacers is minimal. The Bengal duo of Mukesh and Akash come closest, having bowled 895 and 827 overs respectively since 2019-20. Madhya Pradesh’s Avesh Khan, yet to debut in Tests, has consistently performed at the first-class level with 106 wickets in 750 overs. Avesh has also gained experience in England, West Indies, and South Africa through the India A system, similar to Siraj’s domestic journey.
Siraj, who bowled more than 1,112 overs across six seasons and 40 first-class matches before India’s 2020-21 Australia tour, was battle-hardened with quality hours in India A tours across continents. Credited with spotting a young Siraj, Bharat Arun underscores the importance of his extensive first-class background. “Bowling in first-class cricket on unresponsive pitches teaches you to use guile or master reverse swing. This experience greatly benefited Siraj and Shami, making Siraj one of the most dangerous bowlers in world cricket when conditions favor reverse swing.”
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