Former legendary Indian batter Sunil Gavaskar believes Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s recent form while bowling in the death overs is a concern for the team. Kumar was taken for 16 runs in the penultimate over against Australia as the team failed to defend a score of 209 runs in the first T20I at Mohali.

The experienced seamer was taken for 52 runs in his quota of four overs and also went wicketless. Furthermore, Kumar had conceded 19 runs in the 19th over against Pakistan in the Super Four stage in the Asia Cup and he was taken for 14 runs against Sri Lanka in the penultimate over.

Kumar has all the experience under his belt and he has hardly taken such a beating in three matches like these in his career. The fast bowler has great skills to move the new ball both ways but he is currently struggling to bowl in the right areas while bowling at the fag end of the innings.

In fact, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has an economy rate of 6.96 in 78 T20I matches he has played but he hasn’t been at his best in the recent past.

Sunil Gavaskar feels India didn’t bowl well against Australia and it led to their downfall in the end.
“We didn’t actually bowl as well. It’s a real concern. When somebody like Bhuvneshwar Kumar is going for so many runs every single time, when he is expected in 18 deliveries in 3 matches that India has lost against Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Australia, he has given away 49 runs which is almost like 3 runs per ball. Someone of his experience and his caliber, you expect maybe he would give 35-36 runs. That really is an area of concern,” Gavaskar told India Today.
On the other hand, Harshal Patel conceded 22 runs in the 18th over he bowled and gave away a total of 49 runs in his quota of four overs against Australia. However, the medium pacer was making a return after recovering from a side strain injury.

“Harshal is generally a very meaty bowler. But let’s not forget he is coming back after a long break. That’s why it’s so important for the bowlers to have plenty of overs under their belt before they get to the World Cup. That’s the reason, India can maybe play Bumrah and Harshal even in a couple of the ODIs just to get miles in their legs. And to get their rhythm going. That’s something that the Indian management will have to look at,” he further added during his interaction.

India and Australia will play the second T20I at Nagpur on Friday.