India vs West Indies 2013: 5 things under focus in the 1st Test at Kolkata

5. The pace issue for India

What is Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s role in the Test side?

Ishant Sharma is 51 Tests old, but he is in doubt for his place in the side after his mediocre performances of late. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Umesh Yadav are the preferred choices ahead of him, and though there’s also the option of Mohammed Shami, the duo is expected to be India’s go-to men at the start of the West Indies innings.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s debut Test series was all about watching the proceedings from the sidelines. He has bowled only 64 overs in his 4 matches so far, which doesn’t reflect his captain’s faith in him as much as it does project the state of the pitches in the domestic series against Australia earlier this year.

The conditions are going to be the same this time too, and how he’s utilised this time around will reveal his role in the Indian bowling line-up in Tests.

Umesh Yadav performed exceedingly well against West Indies at home last time around, picking up 9 wickets at an average of 21.22. He was ‘rested’ for the Australian series, and having escaped possible punishment, the Indian genuine-pacer would be raring to go.