Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir believes the team’s experienced fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar will play a crucial role in the T20 World Cup. Kumar’s career has been marred by a spate of injuries and his form hasn’t been top class in the last couple of years. However, the pacer from Uttar Pradesh has made a decent return to International cricket in the ongoing five-match T20I series against England.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has the skills to move the ball both ways and he can trouble the opposition batsmen with his swing. Furthermore, Kumar has an accurate yorker under his belt and also has a good slower ball under his arsenal.
Kumar has been a consistent performer in the shortest format of the game and it is crucial for the team that he finds his good form before the T20 World Cup. The 31-year-old was ruled out of the Indian Premier League 2020 while playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad due to a hamstring injury and recently made his much-awaited comeback.
“He will have a very important role. He can take wickets with the new ball and has emerged as a very good death bowler. When he made his debut in international cricket, he only used to bowl well with the new ball but if you see the last few years, he bowls as well at the death also,” said Gambhir while talking to Star Sports.
Gambhir added that the pace trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar will make a deadly bowling combination if there is help for the fast bowlers. India also has T Natarajan, who has impressed with his ability to consistently hit the blockhole in the death overs.
Furthermore, India’s bench strength is potent as they have fast bowlers like Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, and Navdeep Saini, who can all consistently bowl above 140 km/h.
“Just think if Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Shami bowl together where there is even slight help for the fast bowlers,” added Gambhir.
Gambhir added that Bhuvneshwar Kumar is an overall complete package and he is going to hold the key for Virat Kohli’s team. Bhuvneshwar has been able to scalp a solitary wicket in the first three T20Is against England however he has conceded his runs at an economy of seven.
The fourth T20I will take place on Thursday at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
