Time for pacers to hit right notes
In absence of Bhuvi and Bumrah, Umesh can be the gamechanger
Ashwin, if picked, is expected to bat at No 8. Although he flopped in 2014, his experience could be vital if the pitch wears out faster due to a dry English summer until this weekend.
Umesh looked the sharpest in the warm-up against Essex, taking four wickets. He bowled with pace, extracted late movement and ball skidded off the pitch too.
Having played 12 of the 13 matches during India’s home swing in 2016-17 and done well, he didn’t get a game in South Africa. This five-match series will be seen as a great opportunity for Umesh to pair up with Ishant.
Of his 37 Tests, he has played 15 away, seven of them in Australia where he has a decent record. Letting him loose here could be a game-changer if he bowls with discipline.
Ishant will be expected to deliver. On India’s 2014 tour, he captured seven wickets in the second innings to hand the visitors a famous win at Lord’s. After his stint with Sussex, he was solid in the Essex game, taking three wickets.
Shami, India’s most successful bowler in South Africa with 15 scalps, was rusty. He has had little match practice since that big series, and missed most of IPL games due to a family dispute. His dodgy knee too needs to be managed, but is the most skilful among the pacers.
With England looking to rotate James Anderson and Stuart Broad to manage workload, and Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar expected to play later on, it could be time to show India have come of age in pace department.