IND vs ENG: Behind India’s Test bowling arsenal suffering a decisive plunge in away performances since Edgbaston 2022

By | June 20, 2025
India Test bowling away performance in SENA countries

Since the thrilling draw-turned-defeat at Edgbaston in July 2022, the Indian Test team’s once-vaunted bowling attack has suffered a marked decline in away performances. While India’s home dominance remains ironclad, recent overseas outings have exposed critical weaknesses in both pace and spin departments. With the IND vs ENG rivalry reigniting interest in red-ball cricket, it’s crucial to examine why India’s bowling has struggled abroad over the past two years.

From Dominance to Decline: The Turning Point at Edgbaston

The fifth Test of the 2021 series—rescheduled to July 2022 due to COVID—saw England chase down a mammoth 378, powered by the Bazball blueprint. For India, it was more than just a loss; it marked the beginning of a slide in their away bowling form. Jasprit Bumrah captained a side that lacked cohesion, and the inability to defend a sizeable total foreshadowed a deeper issue: India’s once-feared bowling arsenal was losing its edge.

Pace Attack: Injuries, Overload, and Inconsistency

India’s success overseas in the last decade hinged on a potent pace attack. Between 2018 and 2021, the trio of Bumrah, Shami, and Ishant Sharma routinely dismantled batting lineups in England, Australia, and South Africa. But since Edgbaston:

  • Jasprit Bumrah has been plagued with a recurring back injury, ruling him out of crucial tours including Bangladesh and parts of the South Africa series.
  • Mohammed Shami, while still effective, has seen fluctuations in rhythm, particularly in non-subcontinental conditions.
  • Mohammed Siraj, who had a dream start in 2021, has struggled with consistency and line control abroad.

The absence of a settled fourth seamer or a reliable all-rounder like Hardik Pandya in Test cricket has further exposed the lack of balance in the pace setup.

Spin in Foreign Lands: Lacking Penetration

India’s spin twins—Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja—remain match-winners at home, but their effectiveness overseas, particularly in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) countries, has diminished.

  • In Australia and England, Ashwin has often been benched in favour of a four-seamer setup.
  • When picked, neither Ashwin nor Jadeja has consistently provided the breakthroughs needed on unresponsive pitches.
  • The lack of a third spinner or an emerging overseas-specialist spinner has narrowed India’s options.

Moreover, India’s spin attack is tailored more for containment than aggression abroad—a trait that doesn’t always work in fast-paced, result-oriented matches.

Workload Management and Rotation Policy

India’s rotation and workload management strategies have also led to a lack of continuity. Injuries, rest periods, and workload concerns have prevented the team from fielding a consistent bowling lineup. This affects rhythm, coordination with the captain, and overall bowling strategy.

When the core trio doesn’t play together consistently, the bowling unit often appears disjointed. This has been evident in the overseas Tests post-Edgbaston, where India struggled to maintain pressure from both ends.

Conditions and Adaptability

Another critical factor is the lack of adaptability to foreign conditions:

  • In England, bowlers failed to exploit overcast conditions or reverse swing during the second innings.
  • In South Africa, the short ball strategy backfired due to lack of precision and planning.
  • In Bangladesh and the West Indies, spinners didn’t dominate as expected, showing signs of decline even in traditionally spin-friendly venues.

India’s support staff, including bowling coaches, have acknowledged this issue but finding solutions has proven difficult amid the packed international schedule.

Statistical Snapshot: Bowling Averages Since Edgbaston 2022

  • Bowling average overseas (post-Edgbaston 2022): 34.6
  • Wickets per Test (team): 14.2
  • 50+ partnerships conceded: 18 (in 8 Tests)

These numbers reflect a clear dip in sharpness, penetration, and ability to take 20 wickets—something India managed regularly from 2018–2021.

What’s the Way Forward?

With the next World Test Championship cycle heating up, India must rethink its bowling roadmap:

  • Fitness and workload: Ensuring Bumrah and Shami play regularly with adequate breaks.
  • Youth injection: Fast-tracking emerging talents like Mukesh Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, or Prasidh Krishna for overseas assignments.
  • Specialist roles: Considering spin-bowling all-rounders or finger spinners with control for specific overseas conditions.
  • Stable leadership: A consistent bowling strategy under a long-term captaincy regime.

Conclusion

India’s Test bowling—once the envy of the cricketing world—has lost some of its sting in away matches since Edgbaston 2022. The decline is not irreversible, but it requires a blend of fitness management, strategic planning, and grooming of fresh talent. As India prepares for future tours, especially in Australia and South Africa, re-establishing bowling dominance abroad remains the key to regaining their Test supremacy.