Ashok Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah in frame. Credits - AFP
Jasprit Bumrah has become India's national treasure since the 2024 T20 World Cup. The right-arm speedster is inarguably the best bowler going around in the world, especially for his craft as a wicket-taker and cricketing acumen.
Bumrah has become India's all-season bowler, as he can both swing and seam the ball. And if the conditions are flat, he has countless variations up his sleeves to outfox the batters.
However, the 32-year-old seamer too has his limitations. Due to his unorthodox action, he has become injury-prone.
Thus, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has begun to cotton to India's national treasure. So is the case: Bumrah plays only one of the white-ball formats, depending on which ICC event is scheduled next, but he plays Tests regularly.
Reportedly, the BCCI will likely play Bumrah in all nine Test matches to follow the IPL 2026. Moreover, he is set to miss the ODIs scheduled this year. With the next ODI World Cup set to feature in late 2027, India need to create a robust bowling line-up for the African conditions, as the Jasprit Bumrah replacements.
In this article, let us look at the options that India can use as Jasprit Bumrah replacements in ODIs, given their run in the IPL 2026.
Three pacers India must groom for ODIs
Ashok Sharma (Gujarat Titans)
The young and rapid Ashok Sharma has become an overnight sensation after clocking 154.2 kmph in the IPL 2026. The Gujarat Titans pacer is someone who loves hitting the deck hard and can terrorise the batters with his sharp lines and lengths. Moreover, he is in BCCI's scheme of things as he featured in India A in the warm-up games before the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Playing for the Titans, he is already sharing the dressing room with the Mohammad Sirajs and Kagiso Rabadas of the world, which would make him a better modern-day bowler. Meanwhile, playing under India's ODI and Test captain, Shubman Gill, might also get him fast-tracked.
Also Read: Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah Out Of Selectors' Radar For Upcoming India Vs Afghanistan Series
Kartik Tyagi (Kolkata Knight Riders)
Kartik Tyagi has been in the scene for some time now. He was fast-tracked to be India's net bowler for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2020-21, and he was just in line to make his Test debut then. The 25-year-old sustained multiple injuries from 2021 to 2024, which put him at the bottom of the pecking order.
However, in IPL 2026, Tyagi is breathing fire for the Kolkata Knight Riders. Although the franchise isn't doing great on the points table, the speedster has been impressing many, especially after his exploits vs CSK & RR.
He is also someone who bowls more of hard lengths, and he consistently bowls over 140 clicks. He can be a wonderful option as a first-change option, who can give fruitful returns if unleashed well in the African conditions.
Prince Yadav (Lucknow Super Giants)
Prince Yadav could be India's answer to Josh Hazlewood in coming years. The LSG seamer has shown the art of discipline bowling while operating smartly. The 24-year-old first came to limelight in the DPL 2024, but he was fast-tracked only after the second season.
Yadav had a brilliant List-A campaign for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025, where he returned with 18 wickets in eight innings. In the IPL 2026, he is mastering the art under Mohammed Shami's wings, and is complimenting his guru decently.
Although he prominently swings the ball, Prince Yadav knows how to move the ball off the deck.
Also Read: Jacob Bethell Issued Fresh Instructions Amid Demands To Leave RCB
