India's ODI Pace Attack Set for England Tour

India’s fast-bowling combination is expected to undergo significant changes for the upcoming ODI series against England, with senior pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj likely to return after missing the Afghanistan series.

The BCCI is expected to announce the squad soon after the conclusion of the Afghanistan ODI series in Chennai. With preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup gathering pace, the selectors are likely to bring back experienced names while trimming the pace department.

Bumrah and Siraj Set for Comeback

Bumrah was rested for the Afghanistan assignment and has not played an ODI since India’s defeat to Australia in the 2023 World Cup final. The premier fast bowler also missed the 2025 Champions Trophy due to injury but is now expected to return to the 50-over setup.

Siraj, meanwhile, featured in the Afghanistan Test but was rested from the ODI series. Despite playing only nine ODIs in the last 30 months, he remains one of India’s most reliable white-ball pacers. With Mohammed Shami seemingly no longer in India’s long-term ODI plans, Siraj’s experience with the new ball makes him a strong contender for selection.

Harshit Rana Strengthens His Case

Harshit Rana’s inclusion for the final ODI against Afghanistan appears to be a significant indication of the selectors’ plans. Returning after recovering from a knee injury, Rana offers value not only with the ball but also as a useful lower-order batter.

With Hardik Pandya ruled out of the England series, Rana’s all-round abilities could give him an edge over other pace options competing for limited spots in the squad.

Gurnoor Brar and Prasidh Krishna Gain Advantage

The battle for the remaining fast-bowling slots is expected to be intense. Prasidh Krishna and Gurnoor Brar have impressed during the Afghanistan series, particularly with their performances in the powerplay and middle overs.

Both bowlers have demonstrated pace, control and wicket-taking ability, making them strong candidates to accompany Bumrah, Siraj and Rana on the England tour.

Arshdeep Singh’s role as a new-ball specialist remains valuable, but competition has increased due to the performances of Gurnoor and Prasidh.

Prince Yadav May Miss Out

While Prince Yadav showed glimpses of promise against Afghanistan, he was arguably the least impactful among India’s pace options during the series.

Despite possessing the skills to bowl across different phases of an innings, Prince may find himself edged out by bowlers who delivered stronger performances and greater consistency.

Probable Fast Bowlers for England ODIs