Bhuvneshwar Kumar Not Relying on IPL for the 2019 World Cup Preparation
May 29, 2019 at 7:22 PM
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, one of the finest bowlers which India has produced, somehow does not want to rely on the impending edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), in a bid to prepare for the 2019 ICC World Cup. The ODI showpiece is slated to commence on May 30 at Kennington Oval in London.
As India is currently taking on Australia in the five-match series, the paceman has an opportunity to get a couple of games as a part of the World Cup preparations for the United Kingdom (UK).
Each game is vital before the 2019 World Cup:
So far, India faced Australia in two matches by winning both those fixtures in Hyderabad and Nagpur respectively. With the team management setting sights on to test the bench strength, Bhuvneshwar last played ODI in Wellington on February 3, 2018. He settled with the figures of one for 38.
The 29-year-old Bhuvneshwar cited the importance of every game in the lead up to the 2019 World Cup. He added the Men in Blue couldn’t take any game as an inconsequential.
“Not necessarily IPL, but these three matches definitely, also because we can’t take any match lightly. Obviously, these are the crucial matches for us going into the World Cup,” PTI quoted Bhuvneshwar as saying.
With India leading series 2-0, Bhuvneshwar has three games to fine-tune himself ahead of the IPL leg. The Meerut-based bowler is forming the core for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) led by composed Kane Williamson.
IPL to ‘polish skills’:
However, Bhuvneshwar maintained that IPL would help the players to continue with their form. He remarked the formats weigh different in such prospect.
“IPL is something… it’s where we polish our skills and be in form but ODI and T20I are totally different. So we are approaching these matches (ODIs) as the last before the World Cup,” Bhuvneshwar inferred.
Interestingly, a fast bowler, Mohit Sharma made it to the 2015 World Cup, with unlucky Bhuvneshwar finding himself on the fringe. However, he made an appearance against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during the previous World Cup
Furthermore, Australia won against New Zealand by eight wickets in Melbourne.
Considering the situation, Bhuvneshwar is hopeful not only breaking into the squad but serve as a regular component in English conditions.