India’s quest for a place in the ICC WTC final begins in Sri Lanka. They play two Test matches there and then two Test matches in New Zealand in November. The five-match Test series against Australia will probably decide if India have a realistic chance of qualifying for the final. But for that to happen, they have to win both the away series in Sri Lanka and then in New Zealand. That’s not going to be easy as it’s never simple to beat a home team. India will have to play their best cricket against these two countries first before even planning for the Australian series at home. In recent times, even home series have proven to be tough to win with losses in all three Tests against New Zealand at home followed by losing both the Test matches against South Africa.

The Indian team seems to be beset with injury problems and are without the spearhead of their attack Jasprit Bumrah. That said, India won both the Test matches in England last year where Bumrah didn’t play because of workload issues. Bumrah is a match-winner and even if he doesn’t play, his very presence in the change room is a great source of encouragement to the other quicks in the team. He is a leader and takes it upon himself to guide and mentor the newer inexperienced bowlers in the team. Look at the way he has guided Mohd. Siraj and Prasidh Krishna in The Oval Test where India snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. To Gurnoor Brar and Auqib Nabi it would have been fantastic to have been able to pick the great man’s brains and learn a thing or two (three) about fast bowling.