Why India's seam performance at Edgbaston was no surprise

Among several compelling narratives that were proffered for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, one stood out: the "Bazballers" against the generational talent of Jasprit Bumrah. This promised a fascinating battle between an English side redefining risk-taking in Test cricket and a fast bowler at the pinnacle of his powers.

While the allure of this duel was undeniable, the series was always going to hinge on a broader level of consistency. For India, a critical question loomed: how would the rest of their bowling attack fare against England's aggressive batting on often flat wickets, especially with Bumrah's appearances capped at three Tests?

This question seemed all the more significant in light of their recent Test encounters in Australia, where the surface-level statistics showed a serious disparity between Bumrah and his colleagues. Yet a closer look at data from that series offers some insight into why India's performance with the ball at