Under the humid, overcast skies of Edgbaston, as the first Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy slipped away from India’s grasp, the absence of one man cast a long shadow across the seamers’ huddle. But for Prasidh Krishna, the answer was simple.
“No matter who’s around, we’re expected to step up,” he said, sweat trickling down his temple after an intense net session on Thursday. “That’s the mindset this team carries, with or without Jasprit.”
India’s Pace Conundrum Without Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah’s withdrawal from the opening Test due to “workload management,” as confirmed by coach Gautam Gambhir, forced India to field a pace attack anchored by Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, and Prasidh Krishna himself. While Siraj bowled with fire, Krishna conceded 2/107 across two innings, unable to exploit the Dukes ball’s late movement as Bumrah might have.
“Bumrah is irreplaceable in many ways,” said former India bowling coach Bharat Arun in conversation with The Cricket Collective. “His wrist position, his accuracy, his mental calm – these are assets no one else carries in that package.”
Indeed, India’s pace unit missed Bumrah’s 27-wicket heroics from their 2021 tour, when his spells dismantled English batting with surgical precision. Statistics from ESPNcricinfo note Bumrah averages just 20.13 in England, compared to India’s overall seamer average of 31.42 in the country over the past decade.
Prasidh’s Growth Under Pressure
Yet Prasidh, the 28-year-old from Karnataka known for his steep bounce and attacking lines, refuses to bow to the void left behind.
“This is what international cricket is about,” he said quietly, removing his gloves. “Gill bhai (captain Shubman Gill) backs us to bowl aggressively. I’m learning every day how to adapt to these conditions. Bumrah’s absence is felt, but it’s an opportunity too.”
His reference to Shubman Gill reflects a deeper shift in the team’s leadership dynamics. Gill, just 25, captained his first Test in place of Rohit Sharma, whose hamstring strain during the IPL has cast doubts over his long-term workload. Insiders note Gill’s calm demeanor under pressure, reminiscent of a young Rahul Dravid, has won quiet praise in the dressing room despite the loss.
Kuldeep’s Tight Spell and India’s Spin Gambit
While pace dominated headlines, it was Kuldeep Yadav’s four wickets that kept India within touching distance on a flat Edgbaston track. Bowling 38 overs with an economy under 2.5, he drew applause from pundits and opposition alike.
“England played Kuldeep out of respect, not just strategy,” said former captain Nasser Hussain on Sky Sports. “Had India given him a stronger cushion with the bat, this would have been a different Test.”
Gautam Gambhir’s Calculated Gambles
New coach Gautam Gambhir defended the decision to rest Bumrah ahead of a packed summer that includes back-to-back Tests, the Asia Cup, and a looming WTC Final qualification push.
“We have to manage Bumrah like gold,” Gambhir told reporters. “He will play, but we want him at 100%, not at risk.”
Critics, however, argue that giving away momentum in the opening match sets a dangerous precedent against an England side rejuvenated under Ben Stokes’ aggressive leadership and James Anderson’s enduring wizardry.
Looking Ahead: India’s Mindset Reset
As India regroups for the second Test at Lord’s, Prasidh’s words echo a realism forged in domestic cricket’s grinding years.
“If we think too much about who’s missing, we won’t see what’s in front of us,” he said. “It’s about the next ball. That’s it.”
It is a philosophy India will need to embody fully if they are to claw back into the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy and prove that their strength lies not just in the brilliance of one man, but in the collective resilience of the eleven who walk out each morning to wear the crest.
Conclusion
Bumrah’s shadow may loom large, but for Prasidh Krishna and India’s pace battery, the sun still rises each day with new hope. And at Edgbaston, in defeat, a seam bowler found his voice: “No matter who’s around, I’ll keep bowling my heart out.”