Prior to their Test series against Bangladesh at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium on Wednesday, India's bowling coach Paras Mhambrey referred to Umesh Yadav as the fast-bowling spearhead for the visitors.
With Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami out injured, India's fast-bowling unit will come under intense scrutiny in a series where conditions are predicted to be spin-friendly.
Umesh now has the opportunity to have an uninterrupted run in a Test series, which has been a little challenging for him ever since Mohammed Siraj emerged as a potent third pacer. Bumrah and Shami are both out due to injury.
Umesh hasn't had many opportunities to play Test cricket in recent years; he played three matches in each of 2020 and 2021 and just one match in 2022, which was a match against South Africa in Cape Town in January.
However, his encouraging four wickets in India A's second four-day encounter against Bangladesh A last week will give him the responsibility of leading India's bowling attack when qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) final is on the line.
"Umesh is a skilled bowler who brings a lot to the table. He hasn't had enough opportunity due to the current state of affairs, unfortunately. Someone like Bumrah, Shami, or Siraj entered the team and team management spoke with him about the reasons behind these decisions. He was looking at the team balance. In this regard, we have a very clear line of communication with Umesh."
"If I take a different perspective, Umesh is now our spearhead. He will be carrying a lot of experience into the Test match and series. I'm also pleased with Siraj's development and performance in Test cricket. He has triumphed in Test games both for us and in other locations."
"Umesh has a lot on his plate, but Siraj has a wonderful chance to step in and take over. With the WTC final in mind, every Test match from this point on is crucial for us, and from our standpoint, we are striving to win every Test match "Mhambrey stated in the press conference prior to the game.
In the fast-bowling department, India also has Shardul Thakur, Navdeep Saini, and Jaydev Unadkat to consider, and Mhambrey was delighted that all bowlers had some game experience under their belts, whether it be at the international or domestic level.
"The fact that many of these men are participating is positive. The bowlers we currently have include Siraj, who has played a lot of cricket. Umesh has engaged in extensive cricket play. Saini participated in a few of the just finished A series games."
"Since everyone is in contact, that is fantastic. Although Bumrah and Shami will be sorely missed, we also see this as a chance for the other players to experience Test cricket and contribute to the squad."
India is playing Test matches for the first time in five months, and Mahmbrey acknowledged that it takes some time for players to mentally adjust to the longer format. He also believed the selection of the bowling combination will be made in accordance with