Jasprit Bumrah is widely seen as India’s pace spearhead- someone who can rip through batting lineups and change the course of a Test match in just a few overs.
He’s the one bowler captains turn to when nothing else is working. But here's something that will shock many- India’s record in Test matches is actually better without Bumrah in the XI.
Follow The Sporting News India on WhatsApp
The numbers don't lie. They tell a strange story and after the recently drawn series against England, this pattern has caught the attention of fans and experts alike.
It's hard to believe, but the win percentage paints a completely different picture.
What do the numbers say about India’s win rate with and without Bumrah?
Let’s break it down. When Bumrah plays a Test match for India, the team's winning percentage drops to 41.67%. But when he’s not part of the playing XI, the win rate shoots up to a massive 71.43%.
MORE: India's 10 greatest Test wins abroad
Bumrah may be a match-winner, but strangely, India seems to perform more as a unit when he isn’t there. Here's a quick look:
| Bumrah's Availability | Matches | Won | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|
| With Bumrah | 48 | 20 | 41.67% |
| Without Bumrah | 28 | 20 | 71.43% |
During the recently concluded Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, India played five Tests against England and won two of them- both without Bumrah.
He featured in three Tests, bowled beautifully, took 14 wickets and even had two five-wicket hauls. Still, India didn’t win a single one of those games.
Is India’s bowling attack more balanced without Bumrah?
This may sound strange, but it seems India’s bowling attack works more cohesively when Bumrah isn’t playing.
READ: Dig at Kohli? Pathan's cryptic message leaves fans guessing
With him in the side, bowlers like Siraj tend to work around him. But when he's absent, the others naturally step up.
For example, in the fifth Test at The Oval, Bumrah was rested. On Day 5, Mohammed Siraj picked up a five-wicket haul, helping India win by just 6 runs.
Prasidh Krishna and debutant Akash Deep also impressed. The absence of Bumrah seemed to distribute the responsibility more evenly, and the results showed.
Even Siraj’s overall numbers support this. India wins 53.66% of Tests when he plays and only 40.00% when he doesn't.
READ: Race to WTC Final 2027: Latest updated points table
India have done better in away Tests without Bumrah since 2022. Think back to the wins in Bangladesh, the Caribbean and now in England.