Aakash Chopra has opined that pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar could hold the key to India’s chances at the forthcoming T20 World Cup to be staged later in the year.
Jasprit Bumrah was rested from the ongoing limited-overs series against England in both T20Is and forthcoming ODIs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has staged a comeback after a lengthy injury layoff.
Aakash Chopra: Bhuvneshwar Kumar And Jasprit Bumrah Have To Do Well If India Wants To Win T20I World Cup
During a discussion on Star Sports, Aakash Chopra observed Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s successful return was a great sign for India’s ambitions at the T20I World Cup to be staged in October-November. The former India opener termed the seam-bowling pair of Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvaneshwar Kumar as the crucial aspect in the Indian bowling lineup.
“One hundred percent. If India has to win the 2021 World Cup, it is necessary for Bumrah and Bhuvi to do well. Bumrah is evergreen, he did not have any injury issue. He has been bowling well and his workload is being managed,” said Aakash Chopra.
Aakash Chopra highlighted that Bhuvneshwar Kumar may not have been extremely penetrative in the T20I series against England, but the way he bowled suggests he is back to his former self.
“We were waiting eagerly when Bhuvi will come, the ball will swing and he will take the wickets. He might have taken only four wickets in the series, today he took two wickets but his bowling was sensational and we can say that Bhuvi is back,” added Aakash Chopra.
Although a fit-again Bhuvneshwar Kumar has taken just four wickets in the five T20Is against England, his economy rate of 6.38 was the best among all the bowlers across the two teams. It is an even more commendable feat since he bowled a majority of his overs in the powerplay or at the death.
Parthiv Patel: The Way Bhuvneshwar Kumar Has Swung The Ball Is A Big Positive Of The T20I Series
Parthiv Patel picked seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar moving the ball both ways as one of India’s huge positive gains from the series. He also lauded the right-arm seamer for his economical spell in the high-scoring series decider. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is renowned for moving the ball both ways.
“The way Bhuvneshwar Kumar swung the ball has been a big plus point of the series. When it is a 225-run match where the opposition team is making 190 runs, there to concede just 15 runs in four overs and a wicket at the crucial time,” said Patel.
“The way Buttler and Dawid Malan’s partnership was going, it was necessary to get them out at that time. He was the main experienced bowler with the most quality, so the team was dependent on him at the time to dismiss the batsmen and it was a very big thing for me that he did that,” concluded Patel.
England were very much in the chase as they needed 98 runs off 48 deliveries with nine wickets in hand when Bhuvneshwar Kumar was handed over the ball. The wily pacer had Jos Buttler caught by Hardik Pandya at long-off which triggered a batting collapse as India triumphed by 36 runs.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s 2/15 off his 4 overs was India’s biggest match-winning performance as he returned after a long injury lay-off. He has picked 45 scalps in 48 T20Is averaging 26.73 and at an economy rate of 6.98.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been rightly adjudged the ‘Player of the Match’ for his performance for his figures of 2/15. The 31-year old, who last played for India in November 2019 was returning after two long injury gaps and immediately made his mark.