IND vs ENG: Gautam Gambhir Hints at Jasprit Bumrah’s Availability for England Test Series
As excitement brews for the much-anticipated India vs England five-Test series in 2025, a pressing question looms over Team India: Will pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah feature in all five matches? Head coach Gautam Gambhir addressed this concern during a press conference in New Delhi on Thursday, offering a crucial update on the star bowler’s participation.
“We haven’t finalized which matches Bumrah will play. A discussion with him is pending, and we’ll assess based on the series’ progression and results. He is well aware of the situation and his importance to the team,” Gambhir stated, keeping fans and analysts on edge about the bowler’s workload management. With Bumrah’s history of injuries, including a stress fracture in 2022 that sidelined him for months, India’s think tank remains cautious about overexerting their key fast bowler.
Gambhir, however, expressed confidence in the team’s bench strength. “Replacing someone like Bumrah is never easy, but we have ample quality in our ranks. As I mentioned during the Champions Trophy discussions, such scenarios open doors for other players to step up and prove their mettle,” he added. This hints at opportunities for emerging pacers like Prasidh Krishna and Akash Deep to shine on foreign soil.
The upcoming tour marks the dawn of a new era for Indian cricket under the captaincy of Shubman Gill, who has taken over the Test leadership following Rohit Sharma’s retirement from red-ball cricket after a storied career. Gill, at just 25, will helm a talented squad as India kicks off their campaign in the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle, aiming to solidify their position after finishing as runners-up in the previous two WTC finals.
The series, spanning from June to August 2025, will unfold across some of England’s most iconic venues: Headingley, Edgbaston, Lord’s, Old Trafford, and The Oval. Each ground carries its own legacy and challenges, from the swing-friendly conditions at Headingley to the historic aura of Lord’s, often dubbed the ‘Home of Cricket.’ India will be eager to replicate their memorable 2021 triumph when they clinched a 2-1 series lead before the final Test was postponed due to COVID-19 concerns.
Under Gill’s leadership, the squad blends youth and experience. Openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul will be pivotal in tackling England’s fiery pace attack, while spinners like Kuldeep Yadav and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja are expected to exploit turning tracks in the latter stages of the series. England, led by Ben Stokes, boasts a formidable lineup with the likes of Joe Root, Harry Brook, and seasoned pacer Chris Woakes, promising a thrilling contest.
India Squad for England Tour:
- Shubman Gill (C)
- Rishabh Pant (VC & WK)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair
- Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur
- Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav
England Squad:
- Ben Stokes (C)
- Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook
- Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith
- Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes
Test Series Schedule:
- 1st Test: June 20–24, 2025 – Headingley, Leeds
- 2nd Test: July 2–6, 2025 – Edgbaston, Birmingham
- 3rd Test: July 10–14, 2025 – Lord’s, London
- 4th Test: July 23–27, 2025 – Old Trafford, Manchester
- 5th Test: July 31–August 4, 2025 – The Oval, London
As the series approaches, the spotlight remains on whether Jasprit Bumrah will spearhead India’s attack throughout or if strategic rest periods will be enforced to preserve him for critical matches. With high stakes in the WTC cycle and a new captain at the helm, this tour is more than just a bilateral series—it’s a defining chapter for Indian cricket. Will Gill’s men conquer England’s fortresses, or will Stokes’ Bazball philosophy prevail? Only time will tell.