India's Bowling Conundrum: A Two-Man Attack and Too Many Questions

The Ghosts of Sydney 2015 Return

Ten years after the last such mauling, India conceded 500-plus in an overseas Test, a feat not seen since Sydney 2015. The ghosts of that Test have returned, with India's pace-bowling revolution struggling to find its footing.

Anshul Kamboj's Debut: A Parallel Arc

Kamboj, like Bhuvneshwar Kumar in 2015, has struggled to find his pace and swing. Despite a solid first-class record and a sharp showing against the England Lions, he has averaged 125.34 kph on his first full day on the field.

The Lack of Support

India's third and fourth seamers, Kamboj and Shardul Thakur, have failed to provide the necessary support to Bumrah and Siraj. The burden has fallen on the two strike bowlers, who have already sent down 28 and 26 overs respectively.

The Over-Reliance on Bumrah and Siraj

The lack of support has resulted in fatigue, with Bumrah managing just one ball above 140 kph on Day 3. The over-reliance on the two bowlers has also led to a rare loss of discipline, with the new ball on Day 2.

The Philosophical Trade-Off

India's attack is not merely a reflection of available resources, but a result of a deeper philosophical trade-off: batting depth over bowling incisiveness. The team management has doubled down on this strategy, prioritizing security for the transitioning top-order over a more incisive bowling lineup.

The Cost of the Trade-Off

The cost of this trade-off has been a bowling lineup that has been rendered ineffective. India has picked Washington Sundar as their all-rounder, but he was introduced only in the 69th over. The attack has cried out for a more incisive edge, but the left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav continues to miss out.

The Search for Balance

Morkel admitted that Kuldeep's omission came down to India wanting a batting cushion, but also acknowledged the inverse: that another genuine strike bowler could ease the pressure on the batters by reducing the runs needed. The team is trying to find a way to balance the batting and bowling lineups, but it remains to be seen if they can achieve this balance.