How India can deal with Mohammed Shami’s void in Gautam Gambhir’s ‘era of bowlers’ | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The post-Rahul Dravid era in Indian cricket has progressed largely as expected – without any major hiccups (barring the 2-0 ODI series defeat to Sri Lanka). Gambhir’s tenure, instead, has ushered in a more aggressive approach in both batting and bowling.
The upcoming Test series against New Zealand, starting Wednesday at Bengaluru’s M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, will offer the 43-year-old another opportunity to gauge the team’s mettle ahead of the Border–Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) in November.
While India’s aggressive, carefree batting has been the talk of the town in recent weeks — particularly after the fiery display with the bat in the Kanpur Test against Bangladesh and the recent 297-run blitz in a T20I — head coach Gambhir was shrewd in shifting the spotlight back to the bowlers.
In the press conference ahead of the series New Zealand series, the coach remarked, “This is the era of bowlers. Batters only set up matches. This batsman-obsessed attitude of ours needs to end. Even if a batter scores 1,000 runs, it doesn’t guarantee victory. But if a bowler takes 20 wickets, there’s a 99 per cent chance we’ll win the Test match.”
With Jasprit Bumrah appointed vice-captain for the Test series, the Indian team seems clear about its priorities. However, one aspect that is working in the background is the attempt to fill the void left by Mohammed Shami’s absence.
The Indian pace sensation has been working on the sidelines since an ankle injury at the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Giving a major update on Shami’s fitness, India’s Test captain Rohit Sharma said on Tuesday, “It is difficult to make a call on him for Australia series. He had a setback and had swelling in his knees. That put him back a little bit and had to start again. He’s at the NCA with doctors and physios. We don’t want to bring undercooked Shami to Australia. We are keeping our fingers crossed.”
As his return to the national team looks distant, India have shifted their focus to a newer generation of players.
Akash Deep on the rise
Will Shami be fit for the Australia series is the biggest question. This uncertainty has opened the door for Akash Deep to make his mark and potentially secure a ticket to Australia.
Akash Deep’s Test Career So Far

Since his debut against England in February, Akash Deep has displayed remarkable consistency in maintaining tight bowling lines and lengths. On Indian pitches traditionally more conducive to spinners, the 27-year-old has stood out, earning the trust of selectors and retaining his place in the squad for the New Zealand series.

If all goes according to plan, Akash Deep will feature in India’s starting XI for the first Test against New Zealand and perhaps board the plane to Australia next month.
Hot-and-cold Mohammed Siraj
Four years ago, Mohammed Siraj pocketed five wickets on his debut against Australia at the MCG. Since then, the Hyderabad pacer has become a household name in Indian cricket. Following his exceptional performances in the 2023 ODI World Cup, Siraj not only gained global recognition but also solidified his spot in the Indian setup across formats, excelling in both white and red-ball cricket.
Mohammed Siraj in 2024

However, 2024 has been a challenging year for Siraj. Apart from his standout 7/46 against South Africa in Cape Town, the wickets have not flowed freely. Despite being part of India’s T20 World Cup-winning squad, Siraj couldn’t break into the starting XI. Moreover, in his last six Test appearances, he has only managed 10 wickets. During the Bangladesh series, where India fielded three pacers, Siraj collected just four wickets across four innings.
The upcoming Test series against New Zealand presents an important opportunity for the 30-year-old to regain form and build momentum ahead of the high-stakes Australia tour.
Three Pacers in Reserves
With Mohammed Siraj’s inconsistent form and Mohammed Shami’s absence, the focus naturally shifts to India’s reserves.
This time, India have opted for a bowling-heavy approach, naming three pacers — Harshit Rana, Mayank Yadav, and Prasidh Krishna — as backups. While it’s unlikely any of the trio will feature in the squad unless unforeseen circumstances arise, they remain crucial pieces of India’s long-term strategy.
Prasidh Krishna has two Test caps to his name but has only managed two wickets so far. His performances didn’t quite live up to expectations, leaving questions about his ability to make an impact at the highest level.

Meanwhile, young pacers Harshit Rana and Mayank Yadav are being closely monitored, likely with the tour of Australia in mind. Given Australia’s bouncier pitches that favour hit-the-deck bowlers, India could take one, or both, to Australia as part of the squad.
Mayank Yadav made his India debut during the Bangladesh series, but Harshit Rana missed out on his opportunity after being sidelined by a viral infection ahead of the third T20I in Hyderabad.
For these reserves, the upcoming New Zealand series offers a valuable opportunity to get familiar with the team environment and prepare for the challenges ahead of the Border–Gavaskar Trophy, which is just around the corner.