Even though India could have easily won at Edgbaston without Jasprit Bumrah, his possible comeback to the XI for the next Test might make things more difficult rather than better. At first glance, Bumrah's presence is reassuring: he's a top-tier pacer who has just come off a five-wicket haul in the series opener at Headingley. However, India's stats without their pace spearhead begs the urgent question of whether they are truly doing better without him.

India has won 19, lost 5, and drawn 3 of its 27 Tests since Bumrah made his debut in 2018. A win rate of more than 70% is shown. Compare that to the games he has played: 46 Tests, with India winning 20 and losing 22. All of a sudden, the figures don't portray him as the indispensable match-winner that people have always thought he was.

However, the situation is more complicated than that. The difficulty is in the location of those games.

gray zone and away games

The majority of India's victories without Bumrah have occurred at home, where spin is king and his absence is easily concealed. In the absence of Bumrah, India has triumphed in 14 of 18 home tests, but in SENA nations—South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia—they have only won twice out of five matches. It is in this area that his presence remains extremely valuable, particularly when the ball is moving or when the seams are providing bounce.

Yet, this figure also has its limitations. Bumrah was absent when India won a historic victory in 2021 at the Gabba. In Bumrah's absence, Mohammed Siraj, who had led the pace attack earlier, resumed his role at Edgbaston. India didn't seem to miss their frontline quicks, at least not visibly, with Akash Deep and Prasidh Krishna providing fresh legs and Jadeja holding the bowling team together.

Without a doubt, Bumrah's presence will give the Indian team a boost and instill some anxiety in the opposition, but it may also throw off the rhythm and equilibrium of a bowling group that has flourished in his absence. Naturally, a healthy Jasprit Bumrah is a plus for the bowling assault, and the bowler is now well-rested to take on England once more at the legendary Lord's.

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