As England prepares for the high-stakes five-Test series against India, young wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith has one eye firmly on a looming threat—Jasprit Bumrah. The 23-year-old is yet to face the Indian pace spearhead in international cricket and admits he’s more than happy to let his top-order teammates take the first strike against the lethal fast bowler.

Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Jamie Smith shared his strategy: “Hopefully, batting at No. 7 gives me the chance to see how the others handle him first. He’s certainly a tough challenge.” His comments reflect not just admiration for Bumrah’s skills, but also the strategic mindfulness with which England’s younger players are approaching the contest.

Bumrah, who has returned to top form after a long injury layoff, remains India’s biggest threat with the ball. His recent exploits in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he claimed 32 wickets across five Tests, and his exceptional IPL 2025 campaign underline the challenge ahead for the English batters.

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Bowling with remarkable control, Bumrah picked up 18 wickets for Mumbai Indians at a miserly economy rate of 6.67—an extraordinary stat given the tournament’s run-heavy nature. Despite Mumbai’s early struggles in the season, Bumrah’s presence helped them stage a comeback, lifting the team to fourth place.

Yet, his over-reliance cost MI dearly when his rare off-day in Qualifier 2 saw Punjab Kings eliminate them. Meanwhile, India’s selectors, mindful of Bumrah’s injury history and workload, have handed the Test captaincy to Shubman Gill as the new World Test Championship cycle kicks off.

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This move ensures that Bumrah can focus solely on doing what he does best—dismantling opposition line-ups with unerring accuracy and rhythm. For Jamie Smith and England, keeping Bumrah at bay could define their fortunes in the upcoming series.