Former pacer Zaheer Khan believes India still have the quality to trouble England batsmen following the absences of pace bowlers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah for the start of the Test series.
Bhuvneshwar is ruled out of the first three Tests after aggravating his back in the third ODI defeat to England last week while Bumrah will not be available for the first Test following surgery on his thumb injury aggravated in the Ireland T20 series.
But Zaheer insists India have sufficient bench strength to make up for their absences with Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav and Shardul Thakur included in the squad.
“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.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar will miss the first three Tests
“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.”
Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar has already spoken that the bowling attack is the most complete and Zaheer agrees with the ex-batsmen.
“Yes absolutely. If you see the style, with the style of each bowler, you can say it is an accomplished attack because in different conditions, different bowlers impress more,” added Zaheer, who took 311 Test wickets.