ENG Vs IND, 2018: India Has Strong Fast-Bowling Bench Strength Despite Injury Woes: Zaheer Khan

Former Team India fast-bowler Zaheer Khan believes his national team has stock of pacers available despite injury woes making things worse for the Virat Kohli-led side.

Moreover, India will not have the services of their premier pacers in the form of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah for the first few Test matches.

Bumrah had suffered a thumb injury in the first Twenty20 International against Ireland. However, he eventually made the cut into the 18-man squad which has been announced for the first three Tests of the five-match series.

Furthermore, unfortunately, Bhuvneshwar had aggravated his back injury in the One-day International decider. Therefore, India’s pack leader could not break into the Test squad.

India has got the firepower to make up for the injuries:

However, Zaheer believes India has got the bench strength to cover up for the unfortunate injuries.

“Bumrah is injured for the first few matches and there has been an injury concern to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, which is a concern seeing the forthcoming season, but I believe even after their injuries, the five-match tournament is a long series,” Zaheer said as quoted by PTI.

The former fast bowler Zaheer Khan said that Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar‘s absence will take its toll on the team.

However, the other bowlers have a decent record to come up with the goods for the team.

“I believe whichever bowlers will play – like Umesh (Yadav) is doing well, Ishant (Sharma) is a senior bowler and has to take more lead (role) and Mohammed Shami has a good record – I believe their (Bhuvi and Bumrah’s) absence will be felt, but still India’s bench strength is very strong,” Zaheer Khan said.

Veteran Zaheer went on to add as it is going to be long series, it is pivotal for the Indian team to stay fit as a unit. The former speedster said that the conditions will favour the Indian team.

“I feel that it will be an Indian summer, seeing the conditions. And I wish the Indian team will play the five-Test series with the consistency with which they are doing good. The five-Test match rubber is a long series. I hope that all our bowlers will (remain) fit and the entire squad is fit. Because in a long series it is necessary they stay together as a team. Your tough and good days will come [alternately]. The more you enjoy the tour and the local flavors, (the more) it will be beneficial,” Zaheer concluded.