5 questions India needs to answer before the next Test cricket series

The morning after, India’s sensational win at The Oval, levelling the five-Test series 2-2, still seems not to have fully sunk. Not only have Shubman Gill’s bunch of unfancied cricketers defied most pundits’ predictions of an emphatic win for the hosts, they could have finished as winners after the 2007 triumph had they grabbed the opportunities.

It was a busy night for the headline writers and those trying to encapsulate the essence of what has been truly a remarkable campaign — comparable perhaps, in recent memory, to the 2020–21 series Down Under which a depleted India won 2-1 under stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane.

Once the euphoria dies down and Gill and his men have had their much-deserved break, the focus of Indian cricket fans will shift to white-ball cricket again, however, with the Asia Cup 2025 coming up next month. However, they won’t have to wait too long for their next red-ball contest either — and the onus is on the team management to address a number of jarring notes amidst this astounding performance.  

The two-time World Test Championship runners up will be targeting maximum points in two upcoming series — a pair of two-match series against the West Indies and South Africa at home over October and November. While the Caribbeans may be easy meat, India will have to put their best foot forward against Temba Bavuma’s Proteas — who shocked the world order by becoming the WTC champions in June.

So what are the problem areas for India? Here is a look at five burning questions the side must find answers to, before their next Test match:

The Jasprit Bumrah conundrum

The workload management of pace ace Jasprit Bumrah has been almost a national crisis during the two months of the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy. The plan to play him in only three Tests in England was somewhat vindicated by the 2-2 scoreline and the performances of fellow pacer Mohammed Siraj across the five matches; but going ahead, it again seems doubtful whether India will use him in all four Tests.

Now that reports are emerging that it was a knee injury that saw Bumrah being ‘released’ from the squad altogether ahead of the Oval Test, he is almost certain to miss the Asia Cup and has to hit the road back to fitness afresh. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, will need him back in action — so how will Gautam Gambhir & Co. handle it?  

Who is at No.3?

Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair both got opportunities to make the No.3 spot their own during the England tour, but neither really took advantage of the chance, with the pair struggling to come to grips with England’s pace attack.

One or the other of this duo will likely get another opportunity, still, against the West Indies in October, but India will be keen for someone to put their hand up and really make the spot their own.

Spin options

With conditions on the Subcontinent likely to be vastly different to what the team encountered in England, India will almost certainly include left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav for the home contests against the West Indies and South Africa.

Yadav came very close to the playing XI in England, but veteran Ravindra Jadeja and all-rounder Washington Sundar were included instead and the pair performed admirably across the series, with seven wickets apiece.

Any room for all-rounders?

While Jadeja will be a surefire starter in any Test XI at the moment, it will be interesting to see whether selectors continue to provide Washington Sundar with opportunities or whether Nitish Kumar Reddy will also get a chance. Washington and Reddy are future stars of Indian cricket and Jadeja is in the twilight zone of his career — so expect more chances for the fringe all-rounders.

Can Siraj continue his heroics?

The right-armer stepped up when needed most for India across five matches and will be full of confidence heading home ahead of the red-ball contests with the West Indies and South Africa. It will be tough for Siraj to match his efforts in England, especially when one considers that the 31-year-old has a much better Test bowling average away from home than in India.