Former India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik has voiced strong criticism over India’s continued over-dependence on Jasprit Bumrah, following Day 2 of the Headingley Test against England. Despite Bumrah’s brilliance—claiming all three English wickets—India’s bowling unit failed to contain the hosts, who ended the day at 209/3 in just 49 overs.
🏏 “Too Much Void Between Bumrah and the Rest”
Speaking on Cricbuzz, Karthik said:
“Every time you need a wicket, it has to be Bumrah. And he always does it for you, so you get into that habit. But he’s got a body that he has to take care of.”
Bumrah bowled 13 of India’s 49 overs, while Mohammed Siraj bowled 14. The remaining pacers—Prasidh Krishna and Shardul Thakur—managed just 10 and 3 overs respectively.
⚠️ Workload Worries Resurface
Karthik warned that this pattern is unsustainable, especially given Bumrah’s injury history. He previously missed part of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024–25 due to a back issue after playing all matches.
“Others need to step up and say, ‘Give me the ball, I have a plan,’” Karthik urged, highlighting the lack of initiative from the rest of the pace attack.
📉 A Familiar Pattern
This isn’t the first time India’s bowling depth has come under scrutiny. In past series, including the Australia tour, India struggled to maintain pressure when Bumrah was off the attack.
🔍 What’s Next for India?
With England gaining momentum and India’s bowlers underperforming, the team faces a tough road ahead in the five-match series. Analysts suggest rotating Bumrah and reassessing bowling combinations to avoid burnout and tactical predictability.
Stay tuned for Day 3 updates and expert commentary.
