Sachin Tendulkar feels Bhuvneshwar Kumar's injury is a "real setback" for India

India began their long stay in England on a good note with a 2-1 T20I series win. However, the hosts were quick to make a comeback in the ODI series. Now, the focus has shifted to five-match long Test series which will get underway at the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground. India will be without the services of pace spearhead Bhuvneshwar Kumar, at least for the first three Tests, owing to a stiff back. Former Indian great Sachin Tendulkar feels it is a “real setback” for India.

Besides his exotic display of swing, Kumar can also come in handy with the bat. In the only Test, India won against England in the Investec series four years ago, Bhuvi had a crucial partnership with Ravindra Jadeja. Besides Bhuvi, Jasprit Bumrah will also the initial stages of the series. Hence, Tendulkar is a bit skeptical about India’s chances going into the series.

“Bhuvi’s injury is a real setback for India. I for one was expecting a lot from him. He has over the years performed at a level that you expect a certain kind of performance from him. With his ability to swing the ball, he was going to be very critical to India’s scheme of things during the Test series. “And let’s not forget those runs that Bhuvi scored in England during the last series. He is a decent enough batsman, who could string those partnerships at the back end of the innings,” said Tendulkar, as quoted by CricketCountry.

“Bumrah was certainly missed by India in the ODI series during those crucial death overs where he has been a champion bowler. He has started off well in Test cricket and this series is a wonderful opportunity for him. But he is expected to come back during the second Test. So I am hoping for the best,” he further added.

Master Blaster expects Kuldeep Yadav to continue his sizzling form

Kuldeep Yadav has impressed everyone with his left-arm chinaman bowling. But lately, Joe Root has somewhat managed to crack his puzzling spin, thereby giving a headache to the Indian cricketers and fans. But the man with 100 international tons to his name feels Yadav will be able to recreate his magic in Tests.

“Whatever I saw on television, Root picked Kuldeep from his hand and did that really well. Now Kuldeep’s wrist action is a complex one and once he lands the ball, I don’t think too many batsmen in world cricket have got the ability to tackle him off the pitch. Root could afford to play Kuldeep late because he was picking his wrist position early,” said the 45-year-old.

“I don’t think all the other England batsmen have played Kuldeep well. The kind of weather that has been in England with the sun baking the pitches, Kuldeep will be very much in action and so will be the other Indian spinners,” he further added.

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