As the cricketing world gears up for the much-anticipated five-match Test series between India and England, former India head coach Ravi Shastri has expressed unwavering confidence in the capabilities of the pace trio comprising Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj. Set to commence on June 20, 2025, at Headingley in Leeds, this series marks the beginning of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle, following India's recent triumph in the Champions Trophy. However, it also comes on the heels of a disappointing 3-1 series loss to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
India's pace attack faced significant challenges during their previous Test series in Australia, primarily due to injuries affecting both Shami and Bumrah. Their absence was keenly felt, as was the exclusion of Siraj from the squad for the Champions Trophy after a lackluster performance in the Border-Gavaskar series. However, Siraj has made a remarkable comeback in the ongoing IPL 2025, where he has claimed 12 wickets in eight matches, signaling his readiness for the challenges ahead.
Shastri, speaking on the ICC Review, was optimistic about the trio's potential impact on the England batting lineup. "With Siraj, Jasprit, and Mohammed Shami, these three, if they are fully fit, will give England heaps of problems," he remarked, emphasizing the quality and depth they bring to the team's bowling attack. Shastri further praised Siraj's resurgence, stating, "I'm glad he was hurt after being left out of the Champions Trophy. That's what you want, for him to go back to the drawing board and return the way he has. There's a spring in his stride, the pace is up there, and he means business game after game. And that is perfect from India's point of view with England coming up."
Bumrah, who missed the latter stages of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and the entire Champions Trophy due to a back injury, has shown signs of recovery in the IPL as he leads the Mumbai Indians' pace attack. Shastri stressed the importance of managing Bumrah's workload during the upcoming tour of England. "I would be very, very careful with Bumrah. I would give him two Test matches at a time and then wait for the break. Ideally, make him play four. You'll be tempted to make him play five if he starts off in great form, but it's important to monitor how his body pulls up. He should be the first to say if he needs a break," he advised.
Shami's return to international cricket just before the Champions Trophy has been crucial for India. He had been sidelined since the 2023 ODI World Cup Final due to a knee injury, and his absence was particularly felt during the Border-Gavaskar series, where India struggled without a senior pacer to support Bumrah. Shastri commented on Shami's readiness by stating, "You'll have to see how he's bowling in the nets, but I think there's enough experience there for him to start off. The fact that he puts his hand up and says, 'I'm available for that first Test match,' means he knows his fitness levels. He's a workhorse. I've known Shami for a long time. If he puts his mind to it, he'll get there. And the fact that there's Siraj and there's Jasprit doing as well as they are, that is just the motivation he needs to step up and get to that level."
The upcoming series against England is not only a chance for India to showcase their pace attack but also an opportunity to rebound from their previous setbacks. Having finished as runners-up in the last two ICC World Test Championship Finals, the Indian Test team is determined to reclaim their status as a dominant force in the format.
As the cricketing calendar progresses, all eyes will be on the performances of Bumrah, Shami, and Siraj. Their collective success could very well dictate the outcome of the series and set the tone for the new World Test Championship cycle. The first Test at Headingley will be followed by matches at Edgbaston, Lord’s, Old Trafford, and The Oval, promising an exciting summer of cricket.
With the stakes high and the pressure mounting, fans can expect a thrilling contest as India seeks to assert its dominance over England in the Test arena once again. As Shastri aptly puts it, the fitness and form of the pace trio will be pivotal in determining how India fares in this upcoming series. The cricketing world will be watching closely as the action unfolds.
