India’s bowling coach Paras Mhambrey admitted the team’s gun fast bowlers Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah will be missed in the two-match Test series but at the same time it will be a good opportunity for others to perform.

Both Bumrah (back) and Shami (shoulder) are currently out of action due to their respective injuries. In the absence of these two experienced bowlers, Mhambrey revealed veteran fast bowler Umesh Yadav will be the team’s pack leader of the pace battery. Yadav has a good record in the subcontinent conditions and he will look to deliver his best for the team.

India has gone with five bowlers in the first Test match against Bangladesh – Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel.

“One good thing is a lot of these guys are playing. Look at the bowlers that we have right now, Siraj has played a lot of cricket and Umesh has played a lot too, Saini has played a couple of games in the A series that has recently concluded which is good so everyone is in touch. As far as others missed out there is Bumrah and Shami definitely will be missed. We also look at this as an opportunity that the others have a chance to play cricket and perform for the team,” Paras Mhambrey said in a pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

“Umesh Yadav becomes a spearhead for us now. He has a lot of experience with him going into the Test match. Also happy with the way Siraj has delivered in Test cricket. He has won Test matches for us. A lot is expected from Umesh, but it is also a great opportunity for Siraj to fill in. Every Test match from hereon is extremely important for us (keeping WTC final in mind),” he further stated.

Meanwhile, India will play Test cricket after a long time as they last played against England back in July. Mhambrey highlighted it will take some time for the team to hit the ground running.

“As you already mentioned that we are playing Test cricket after a while. Takes a little while to adjust to that mental change as well. Discussions are going on, we have spoken about it nicely and lengthy discussions are going on. That happens to a lot of teams as well, from playing at the T20 World Cup to coming out here to play Test cricket is important for us from our point of view. With the experienced team that we have everyone is aware of what their role is and how important the series is for us.”

India is currently 100-3 after 30 overs in the first innings with Pujara and Pant at the crease after KL Rahul won the toss and decided to bat first.