England vs India 2018: 5 Things to look forward to in the upcoming Test series

India’s pace attack in the absence of Bhuvneshwar and Bumrah

Many have given India a good chance of registering a Test series victory in England mainly due to their pace attack. However, days before the first ball of the first Test, India have been dealt with a huge blow as Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah have been ruled out due to injuries. While the former is out of the first three Tests, Bumrah could make a return in the second Test, but nothing (their return) is confirmed for the moment.

These two were the stars in South Africa and Bhuvneshwar was the standout bowler on that 2014 tour as well. However, despite these two missing out, India have a decent bowling attack. Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav – all of them have been around for a while now and they will look to bring in all their experience. Shami and Ishant were a part of the team on the last trip in 2014.

In fact, Ishant produced the one of the best spells of his career when he took 7/74 and bowled India to victory at Lord’s. He also played County cricket (for Sussex) earlier this year and his experience will be vital. He has worked hard with Jason Gillespie on his bowling and hence, will look to spearhead this Indian attack.

Shami hasn’t played competitive cricket for a while now. He last played a game for Delhi Daredevils on April 16th and since then injuries and fitness issues have kept him out. He returns to the squad after being dropped for the Afghanistan Test when he failed to clear the fitness test. Umesh Yadav has been around for a while now and has down well. But this will be his first stint in England.

Shardul Thakur is the other pacer in the line-up along with all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Hence, in the absence of their key pacers, this Indian pace attack will be tested.