5 reasons why India will miss Ishant Sharma

4. Lack of experience in the pace attack

With 19 Tests under his belt, Umesh is the most experienced pacer

India’s bowling line-up will be dominated by spin but Virat Kohli’s preference for a five-man bowling attack will mean that he is likely to go in with a three-two combination when it comes to spinners and fast bowlers. With Ishant Sharma’s unavailability, he has to pick between Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav and Mohammad Shami.

A veteran of 72 Tests, the 28-year-old’s loss will mean that the hosts will be without the experience that comes with playing more than 50 Tests. The fact that Bhuvneshwar, Umesh and Shami have only combined for just 49 Tests merely highlights the void that will be left by Ishant’s absence.

Shami has only played 16 Tests and is only just getting back to the rigors of international cricket after his return from injury, while Bhuvneshwar and Umesh haven’t been regular members of the Indian and it will be a battle between the pair to get the final spot.