Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has regained fitness is eyeing a comeback in England’s forthcoming tour of India in February. The pacer was ruled out of the ongoing Australian tour after sustaining a thigh muscle injury while playing for the SunRisers Hyderabad franchise in the recently concluded IPL 2020.
The 30-year-old pacer made his comeback with Uttar Pradesh in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He made an instant impact too, as he picked up three wickets at a brilliant economy rate of 5.5 against Punjab.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar Is Raring To Go Against England As He Is Fit After Recovering From Injury
Talking to the Hindustan Times, Bhuvneshwar Kumar said that he is playing in the domestic ongoing T20 tournament Syed Mushtaq Ali to prove his fitness for the impending series against England. He has picked up 4 wickets so far in 4 matches besides scoring 36 unbeaten runs.
“I am raring to go against England. I am fit after recovering from injury. I did my rehab well at the National Cricket Academy and am playing in Mushtaq Ali Trophy to prove my match fitness. Before IPL, my mission is to do well against England and I am looking forward to the opportunity. There are plenty of opportunities this year, but I am taking it one by one,” said Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
England’s tour of India will begin with a four-Test series, starting on February 5th, followed by five T20Is and three ODIs. The ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy comprising of 4 Tests in Australia has seen Team India’s premium pacers – Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav – picking up injuries.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar And Ishant Sharma May Be Selected For First 2 Tests Against England
Fellow pacer Ishant Sharma also returned to action in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. It remains to be seen if the pace duo are picked in the squad for the first two Tests against England, with the BCCI set to announce the team on Tuesday. In 12 Tests at home, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has an average of 26.22 with 27 wickets to his name.
In the six Tests he has played against England, the pacer has picked up 20 wickets at an average of 28.30. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has played the last Test against South Africa in 2018 while his last ODI and T20I came in 2019.
His best Test figures of 6/82 were also recorded against England, albeit in pace-friendly conditions at Lord’s. The competition has stiffened for pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the absence of the first-choice Indian quicks, as backup pacers Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur and T Natarajan have stood up with impressive performances in Australia.