During India’s practice session on Wednesday, the team’s trio of spinners took turns inspecting the pitch for the Ranchi Test. Kuldeep Yadav, already padded up, was the first to arrive, quickly scanning the surface before heading to the practice ground, aptly named the Oval. Following him, Ravindra Jadeja took a look after concluding his training session, observing the patch of dry grass. Ashwin, on the other hand, spent more time examining the surface from different angles. With their key contributor in this series, Bumrah, absent, the spinners are hoping the pitch will show its old affinity for aiding them.
While the spinners have undoubtedly played their supporting roles in helping India take a 2-1 lead, it’s been Bumrah who has taken the spotlight. Not only has he been India’s top wicket-taker, but he’s also been the sole bowler who appeared capable of dismantling the opposition’s batting lineup. In a way, the speculation about India preparing a turning pitch stems from Bumrah’s absence and the uncertainty of whether the spinners alone could contain the Bazballers on a docile turning track.
Bumrah has been the epitome of versatility for India, excelling as the new-ball intimidator, the master of reverse swing, and the relentless force in the middle overs. His presence has not only been felt on the field but also within the team, where he serves as its soul and voice. Despite the spinners collectively amassing 831 wickets, Bumrah’s ability to overshadow them highlights the unparalleled skill set he possesses. The sentiment that India would dearly miss him goes beyond mere understatement; Vikram Rathour expresses a sigh, acknowledging that they would have ideally included him in every game if not for workload management concerns. England’s relief at his absence is palpable, as Ollie Pope openly admits, “it’s great not to see him here.” It’s a rarity to witness an Indian fast bowler command such fear and respect at home, especially overshadowing the lineage of world-beating spinners.
India’s spinners will undoubtedly feel the absence of Bumrah, particularly during the sluggish middle overs where nothing seems to be happening. Bumrah had a knack for injecting excitement into these phases with his sudden bursts of magic, creating the illusion of a flurry of activity in the middle. A perfect example was during England’s first innings in Rajkot when they were cruising comfortably at 224/2. Bumrah’s spell induced chaos in Joe Root’s mind, leading to England’s sudden collapse. They managed to add just a hundred more runs after that.
In the second innings, he laid the groundwork for the spinners’ dominance with a devastating opening spell, recording figures of 8-1-18-1. In Visakhapatnam, he delivered a spell of reverse-swing bowling that will be remembered for ages. In the first innings, he claimed three crucial wickets, including that of Jonny Bairstow, and set the stage for further breakthroughs in the second innings. On day three, just twenty minutes before lunch, with England teetering at 184/4 and the game hanging in the balance, Rohit Sharma brought back Bumrah into the attack. The English batsmen were caught off guard, and within moments, they lost two more wickets before heading to lunch, effectively sealing their fate in the game.
Bumrah is the catalyst for fear, panic, and mistakes on the field. He has a knack for making things happen out of thin air, whether it’s at the start of the game, during the crucial middle overs, or in the decisive endgame moments. The spinners now face the daunting task of filling the void left by Bumrah, particularly during the middle overs, which will undoubtedly be their greatest challenge and responsibility.
In this series, the pitch hasn’t been as favorable to the spinners’ skills as it has been in previous encounters. However, all three surfaces offered varying degrees of assistance to spin at different stages of the matches. Despite the challenges, each spinner managed to make an impact at different points. Ashwin’s lengths were particularly effective during the chase in Visakhapatnam, while Jadeja played the role of a quick-kill merchant in the second innings in Rajkot. Kuldeep showcased a blend of cunning and discipline during his 12-over spell in the first innings in Rajkot.
The trio of spinners has collectively taken 31 wickets at an average of 29.6, which is commendable but not overly impressive. Part of the credit for this performance can be attributed to the English batsmen, who have displayed exceptional skill in disrupting the spinners’ lengths, utilizing a variety of sweep shots to great effect.
Historically, India’s spinners tend to grow increasingly intimidating to overseas batsmen as the series progresses. As they assess the batsmen, analyze their strengths and weaknesses, and adapt to the conditions, they become nearly unstoppable. A prime example is Jadeja, who showcased a significant transformation between the second innings in Rajkot and the subsequent innings in Hyderabad. Despite facing challenges with the sweep shot, he adjusted his lengths and pace effectively, leading to the dismissals of Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow. Additionally, he altered his line cleverly, inducing an error from Ben Stokes while attempting a slog sweep in the first innings.
Kuldeep displayed a remarkable transformation, shedding his initial restlessness to become a wicket-taking force. In a forgotten 12-over spell during the third morning in Rajkot, he demonstrated his ability to stifle batsmen, conceding just 35 runs after having been plundered for runs the previous day by England’s batters. As for Ashwin, known as the executioner of batsmen in India, his eleven scalps came at an average of 34, with his dominance manifesting only intermittently. However, it would be unwise to discount him in these conditions. Nevertheless, the challenge now lies in their ability to excel without Bumrah.
Bumrah, spinner’s best friend
Second innings, Vishakhpatnam
England, chasing 399 runs, find themselves at 184/4 with Zak Crawley and Jonny Bairstow batting confidently, building a partnership of 40 runs in 10 overs. However, Bumrah’s arrival intensifies the pressure on England, prompting them to adopt a more aggressive approach. In the process, Kuldeep Yadav dismisses Crawley, while Bumrah claims Bairstow. England’s innings collapses, and they are bowled out for 292, largely due to another fiery spell by Bumrah.
First innings, Rajkot
England started the third day on 202 for 2 in 35 overs. Bumrah’s seven fiery overs played a pivotal role in shifting the momentum. In the 40th over, he induced a moment of brain-fade from Root, who attempted a reverse scoop and ended up getting dismissed. Following this, Kuldeep removed Jonny Bairstow, leading to England’s eventual collapse.
