Former India head coach Ravi Shastri expressed confidence in India's pace trio of Jasprit Bumrah , Mohammed Shami , and Mohammed Siraj ahead of their five-match Test series against England in June. The series, marking the beginning of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle, comes after India's Champions Trophy victory and their disappointing 3-1 series loss to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy .
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India's pace attack faced availability issues during their previous Test series in Australia, with both Shami and Bumrah dealing with injuries while Siraj's poor form led to his exclusion from the Champions Trophy squad.
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Siraj has since made a strong comeback in the ongoing IPL, taking 12 wickets in eight matches. Bumrah and Shami have also recovered from their respective injuries.
"I think with Siraj, Jasprit and Mohammed Shami, these three, if they are fully fit, they will give England heaps of problems," Shastri said in The ICC Review. "It's a quality, top-class pace attack when you get these three fit. And what I like about Siraj, I'm glad he was hurt after being put out, not in the side for the Champions Trophy. That's what you want."
"For him to go back to the drawing board and come back the way he has, there's a spring in his stride, the pace is up there, and he means business game after game. And that is perfect from India's point of view with England coming up."
Bumrah has shown promising signs of recovery in the IPL after the injury that forced him to miss the closing stages of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Trophy and entirety of the Champions Trophy.
Shastri emphasised the importance of managing Bumrah's workload during the England tour. "I would be very, very careful [with Bumrah]," he stated. "I would give him two Test matches at a time and then wait for the break."
"Ideally, make him play four. You'll be tempted to make him play five if he starts off in a great manner, but it's how his body pulls up. He should be given the first opportunity to say, 'Yes, a little, [I am] feeling the niggle. A break would help.' Give him that break."
Shami returned to international cricket just before the Champions Trophy after recovering from a knee injury that kept him sidelined since the 2023 Cricket World Cup Final.
His absence was particularly felt during the Border-Gavaskar series, where India lacked a second senior pacer to support Bumrah. Shami hasn't played Test cricket for India since the 2023 ICC World Test Championship Final against Australia.
"You'll have to see how he's bowling in the nets, but I think there's enough experience there for him to start off," Shastri commented on Shami. "The fact that he puts his hand up and says, 'I'm available for that first Test match' means he knows his fitness levels."
"He's a workhorse. I've known Shami for a long time. If he puts his mind to it, he'll get there. And the fact that there's Siraj and there's Jasprit doing as well as they are, that is just the motivation he needs to step up and get to that level."
The five-Test series between England and India will commence at Headingley in Leeds on June 20, followed by matches at Edgbaston, Lord's, Old Trafford, and The Oval.
Also See: MI vs LSG Live Score, IPL 2025
India's pace attack faced availability issues during their previous Test series in Australia, with both Shami and Bumrah dealing with injuries while Siraj's poor form led to his exclusion from the Champions Trophy squad.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.
Siraj has since made a strong comeback in the ongoing IPL, taking 12 wickets in eight matches. Bumrah and Shami have also recovered from their respective injuries.
"I think with Siraj, Jasprit and Mohammed Shami, these three, if they are fully fit, they will give England heaps of problems," Shastri said in The ICC Review. "It's a quality, top-class pace attack when you get these three fit. And what I like about Siraj, I'm glad he was hurt after being put out, not in the side for the Champions Trophy. That's what you want."
"For him to go back to the drawing board and come back the way he has, there's a spring in his stride, the pace is up there, and he means business game after game. And that is perfect from India's point of view with England coming up."
Bumrah has shown promising signs of recovery in the IPL after the injury that forced him to miss the closing stages of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Trophy and entirety of the Champions Trophy.
Shastri emphasised the importance of managing Bumrah's workload during the England tour. "I would be very, very careful [with Bumrah]," he stated. "I would give him two Test matches at a time and then wait for the break."
"Ideally, make him play four. You'll be tempted to make him play five if he starts off in a great manner, but it's how his body pulls up. He should be given the first opportunity to say, 'Yes, a little, [I am] feeling the niggle. A break would help.' Give him that break."
Shami returned to international cricket just before the Champions Trophy after recovering from a knee injury that kept him sidelined since the 2023 Cricket World Cup Final.
His absence was particularly felt during the Border-Gavaskar series, where India lacked a second senior pacer to support Bumrah. Shami hasn't played Test cricket for India since the 2023 ICC World Test Championship Final against Australia.
"You'll have to see how he's bowling in the nets, but I think there's enough experience there for him to start off," Shastri commented on Shami. "The fact that he puts his hand up and says, 'I'm available for that first Test match' means he knows his fitness levels."
"He's a workhorse. I've known Shami for a long time. If he puts his mind to it, he'll get there. And the fact that there's Siraj and there's Jasprit doing as well as they are, that is just the motivation he needs to step up and get to that level."
The five-Test series between England and India will commence at Headingley in Leeds on June 20, followed by matches at Edgbaston, Lord's, Old Trafford, and The Oval.
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