- July 18, 2025
Here’s a stat that will make any Indian cricket fan raise an eyebrow: since Jasprit Bumrah’s Test debut in 2018, India has a higher win percentage when he does not play. Surprised? You’re not alone. At face value, it sounds like a crazy stat — it’s like saying that the absence of a superhero makes the team better. But as we have learned from cricket statistics, we need to dig under the surface to get to the truth. Let’s dive into this interesting and somewhat misleading story from the current Test series, England vs India 2025.
The Stat Sheet Says ‘Better Without Bumrah’ — But It’s Deceptive
Let’s tackle the statistics first. Since Bumrah’s Test debut, India’s 74 matches include 47 with him, yielding 20 wins, 23 defeats, and just 4 draws. Win percentage? 42.55%. 27 Tests without Bumrah: 19 wins, 5 losses, 3 draws. Win percentage? An astounding 70.37%.
It seems quite clear-cut, doesn’t it? As if Bumrah were the sole reason for the team’s performance. But context matters. Most of those 19 wins without Bumrah were during home Tests (14 of them) or against lower-ranked opposition like Bangladesh. Think of the 2025 series. Did they miss him? Yes, particularly when it rained in Leeds and Lord’s, maybe for Bumrah’s return, who then, in two Test matches on tours, took 12 wickets, and lost both.
What this tells us is simple: India can win comfortably at home or against weaker teams without their pace spearhead. But when it comes to hard-fought, away-from-home battles, you need a Bumrah to even stand a chance.
Bumrah Abroad: India’s Silent Weapon in Hostile Terrains
Dig deeper, and you’ll see where Bumrah’s impact is truly felt. Out of India’s 23 Test losses with Bumrah, seven came in England, five each in Australia and South Africa — the toughest away grounds for any Asian side. But these are also places where he’s single-handedly swung matches.
Since 2018, no Indian pacer has been near Bumrah’s 217 wickets at 219 average or even close to that level of wicket-taking ability. Shami is next, but he sits at a higher average, with 134 wickets. That is a massive gap. Bumrah has been involved in India’s most unforgettable foreign victories over the last decade — think Gabba 2021, Oval 2021, and Lord’s 2021.
So while the raw win percentage might make you think India does better without him, the truth is that without Bumrah, India wouldn’t even sniff a win abroad. His absence is less felt on dustbowls in Nagpur, but keenly missed when the Duke’s ball is dancing under cloudy skies.
Beyond the Numbers: Unpacking India’s Curious Bumrah Puzzle
There’s also the workload management factor. Bumrah doesn’t play back-to-back Tests in long series anymore — that’s the trade-off for keeping a fast bowler fit in today’s cricket. And guess what? India’s selectors know when to rest him — typically in easier home Tests or dead rubbers.
Moreover, the series narrative matters. In the ongoing ENG vs IND 2025 series, resting Bumrah in Birmingham was a strategic call. But could India risk leaving him out in the swinging conditions of Leeds or Lord’s? Not — and even though they lost, Bumrah was still the standout performer with two five-fers. If anything, the defeats highlight that Bumrah can’t win Tests alone — he needs support.
So, next time someone throws this quirky “India wins more without Bumrah” stat at you, tell them: stats without context are just numbers. Without Bumrah, India might dominate at home, but their overseas ambitions hinge on his brilliance.
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