India may be the favourites to win the opening Test against West Indies (Windies 5/1, Draw 15/8, India 4/5 in the match betting), starting on Monday, but captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has admitted he is anxiously awaiting news over the fitness of his bowling attack.

Dhoni himself is returning to the squad refreshed after being left out of the one-day series but there are certainly problems in the pace bowling department as India prepare for the first Test of a three-match series (India 4/11, Draw 7/2, West Indies 7/1 in the series betting).

Zaheer Khan and Sreesanth are both expected to miss the action at Sabina Park and now Munaf Patel is a doubt after picking up an elbow problem, while there has been a delay to the arrival of replacement Abhimanyu Mithun because of visa issues.

“It is important that they are fit or else it will have an impact,” Dhoni (7/1 to be Top India Batsman 1st Innings) said.

“It’s not that you are bowling four or 10 overs – you could be bowling 25 overs, whether it be a spinner or a paceman.

“You want your best bowlers to play and be at least 70-80% fit for the longer format.”

There is one other concern on the batting front -  especially with big guns Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir rested for the tour – as opener Murali Vijay is suffering with a finger injury and may not play.