As India prepares for the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2025, the spotlight is on their pace attack, which features a promising but relatively inexperienced group of fast bowlers. Jasprit Bumrah, the spearhead of India’s pace attack, will lead the charge alongside Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, and Nitish Kumar Reddy. However, despite their individual talents, the combined Test wicket tally of this pace quartet is significantly lower than Australia’s formidable trio: Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Pat Cummins.
India’s current pace lineup, though full of potential, has yet to match the established legacy of Australia’s fast bowlers. Jasprit Bumrah, with 173 wickets, is the most experienced among them. Known for his toe-crushing yorkers and unconventional seam movement, Bumrah has proven himself on the international stage across formats. However, his record in Test cricket is still developing, especially considering the longevity and consistency that Australia’s pace bowlers have shown over the years.
Mohammed Siraj, the second-most experienced fast bowler in India’s squad with 80 wickets, has made great strides in recent years. Siraj’s aggressive and disciplined approach has been instrumental in India’s success, particularly in overseas conditions. His ability to strike early and bowl long spells makes him a key player in India’s bowling arsenal. Yet, like Bumrah, Siraj is still in the process of cementing his place as one of the great Test bowlers, especially when compared to Australia’s legends.
Next in line is Akash Deep, who has just 10 wickets in Tests. While he has shown promise with the ball, especially in shorter formats, he remains relatively untested in the rigors of the longest format. His inclusion in India’s BGT squad is seen as a chance for him to prove his mettle on a big stage, but his lack of experience in Test cricket puts additional pressure on the more seasoned bowlers like Bumrah and Siraj.
Prasidh Krishna, with only two Test wickets, faces an even steeper climb. Despite his tall frame and pace, Krishna has not yet fully proven himself in Test cricket. His performance in the limited opportunities he has had in the longer format has been inconsistent. Krishna will need to step up and deliver in high-pressure situations if India is to challenge Australia’s potent attack.
Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy have yet to make their Test debuts, leaving India’s pace attack with a relatively untested bench. While both bowlers have shown promise in domestic cricket, their lack of experience at the international level raises questions about their ability to contribute significantly in such an important series.
In contrast, Australia’s pace trio of Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Pat Cummins is one of the most formidable fast-bowling units in world cricket. Hazlewood, with 273 wickets in Tests, has been the backbone of Australia’s bowling attack for nearly a decade. His ability to bowl consistent lines and lengths and pick up wickets in all conditions makes him a vital cog in Australia’s plans. Starc, with 358 Test wickets, brings raw pace and the ability to strike at key moments, especially in the early overs. His record in subcontinent conditions is also commendable, making him a valuable asset against India.
Pat Cummins, the Australian captain, is arguably one of the best fast bowlers in world cricket at the moment. With 358 wickets to his name, Cummins is known for his consistency, pace, and leadership. His control over the ball and ability to bowl long spells without sacrificing quality makes him a match-winner. As captain, Cummins also brings tactical acumen to the team, which will be crucial in the BGT 2025 series.
Australia’s trio has been a key factor in their dominance in world cricket. Together, they have the experience and the firepower to overwhelm most teams. Their combined Test wicket tally of over 900 wickets dwarfs India’s pace attack, which, as of now, has just over 260 wickets between Bumrah, Siraj, and the rest. This stark contrast in experience and record will undoubtedly be a challenge for India as they prepare for the BGT 2025.
For India to succeed, their pace attack will need to rise to the occasion and deliver consistently. Bumrah, Siraj, and the others will have to perform at their best, especially given the potent threat posed by Australia’s seasoned pacers. The presence of seasoned spin bowlers like Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, along with a solid batting lineup, will also be key to India’s chances. However, India’s pacers must take up the challenge head-on if they are to match Australia’s fast-bowling dominance.
India’s pace attack will be under significant pressure to deliver in the BGT 2025. While Bumrah and Siraj have shown they can perform at the highest level, the lack of depth in terms of experience could hurt India against an Australian side that has a world-class fast-bowling unit. Despite these challenges, India has historically been strong in home conditions, and the upcoming series presents an opportunity for their pacers to rise to the occasion and prove that they can match up to Australia’s best. The BGT 2025 is sure to be a thrilling contest, and much will depend on how India’s relatively young pace attack handles the pressure of facing one of the most accomplished bowling units in the world.