Legendary spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed concerns regarding the future of India’s bowling attack, particularly the void that could emerge once Jasprit Bumrah hangs up his boots.

While Ashwin remains confident about India’s batting strength, especially in white-ball cricket, he believes the next generation may find bowling less attractive in a format where batters grab the spotlight.

Widely regarded as one of the best fast bowlers of the modern era, Bumrah has been central to India’s success in recent years.

Not long ago, the pace quartet featuring the likes of Ishant Sharma, Mohammad Shami, and Mohammed Siraj alongside Bumrah dominated world cricket but India’s fast-bowling stocks are currently in a state of transition.

“The pedigree of white-ball batters that we have is something else. I have no doubts that India will go on to win quite a few white-ball trophies over the next decade. That will be from our batting," Ashwin said while speaking at a RevSportz event.

“What happens after Bumrah? He is a defining figure in this white-ball side," he added.

Ashwin also pointed out a deeper, structural issue in the sport. “I am worried bowling is not as attractive as batting and kids might not take up the sport for those reasons. When I say sport, I think bowling and batting are different sports. Bowling as a sport is not attractive enough. It’s like you are entertaining people, giving those sixes. So, who would really want to think that bowling will enable us to win tournaments or series," he remarked.

Beyond Bumrah and Siraj, India’s pace-bowling depth appears thin. While several domestic talents have received chances, few have managed to leave a mark at the highest level.

The likes of Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh have shown promise, while Jammu & Kashmir’s Auqib Nabi is viewed as a future prospect.