Bhuvneshwar Kumar looked normal at the ODIs in South Africa but the pacesetter is back on form and fighting for a place in India’s T20 World Cup squad, according to Sunil Gavaskar.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar will be fighting for the T20 World Cup spot, says Gavasskar (AFP Photo).
HIGHLIGHTS
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar shone in India’s 1st T20I against Sri Lanka
- Bhuvneshwar has had a slump in form in limited overs cricket
- Gavaskar said Bhuvneshwar will be in contention for the T20 World Championship squad
Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar said Bhuvneshwar Kumar is likely to be in Australia as part of the 2022 T20 World Cup, adding that the senior pacer has been working hard to recover from a recent slump in form. The former captain said Bhuvneshwar has not been resting on his laurels but has been working to get back into the reckoning.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar took 2 wickets in Thursday’s first T20I against Sri Lanka, conceding just 9 runs in his 2-over spell. The senior pacer was in fine form in the T20I series against the West Indies and was stingy in the two games he played.
Bhuvneshwar was able to improve his pace and harass opponents with momentum after looking flat in the ODI series in South Africa, where he had to go to the clean. The Senior Pacer was also knocked off the side during the T20 World Championship after a string of poor performances. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has won just 9 wickets in 7 ODIs over the past two years but the recent return to form shows the work Gavaskar says he has been doing.
“He makes a point again. Yes, he had a pretty standard streak in South Africa. But he came back fine. Look again at the competition, no one can take their place for granted. He was an older bowler for such a long time, the moment he slipped a little and people started asking questions about him, he bounced back,” Gavaskar told Star Sports.
“He didn’t go into a clam and think, ‘Oh, what’s going to happen?’ He’s been working harder, he’s been watching his bowling, and he’s trying to get better every day. And that’s what’s important. He’s not resting on his laurels. He says with the extra pace and bounce I’m going to get in Australia, he’ll stay in the frame,” he added.
Bhuvneshwar faces stiff competition as India has many opinions in the pace bowling department for the T20 World Cup. With the likes of Mohammed Siraj, Deepak Chahar and Shardul Thakur putting their hand up with consistent performances, India will be looking for opportunities to pair up with Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah.
India managed to limit Sri Lanka to 137/6 in the first T20I after posting 199 on the board thanks to Ishan Kishan’s victorious 89. The two teams will meet on Saturday in the 2nd ODI in Dharamsala.
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