Bhuvneshwar Kumar, pacer and vice-captain of the Indian team at Sri Lanka, said that he has not prioritized limited-overs cricket over Tests and is ready to play in whatever format he is asked to by the management or selectors.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has grappled with recurring injuries in the last three years. He hasn’t played Test cricket since 2018 and was recently overlooked from the 20-men squad for the upcoming Test summer in England.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar: There Is No Priority Whether It’s White Or Red Ball And Will Definitely Try To Contribute If Selected In Tests
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has last played Test cricket and a First-Class game more than three years ago but says he is ready for top-flight red-ball cricket and if given a chance, the India fast bowler would contribute and put his best foot forward. In May, a report had claimed that Bhuvneshwar Kumar was not interested in playing Test cricket anymore, which the fast bowler dismissed later in the day.
“To be honest, there is no priority for me, whether it is white ball or red ball. So, if I am selected as part of the red ball cricket team, I will definitely try to contribute. I am not looking to prioritise white ball or red ball cricket. Just working normally to prepare for all the formats,” he told the media in a virtual interaction.
“If I get a chance in any of the formats, I will look to contribute. I am not looking ahead, say at 18-20 months. Have to prepare so that I have to play all three formats. If I get a chance then I definitely will try to contribute,” he added.
Clearing the air once and for all, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, during a press conference on Friday, ahead of the first ODI between India and Sri Lanka, clarified that he is not prioritizing any format over the other and is always available whenever the team requires him in whichever format.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar Is Satisfied With His Career
The 31-year-old right-arm pacer has not played multi-day format cricket since January 2018 when he appeared in a Test in South Africa. He said he has no regrets as injuries are part and parcel of the game.
“I am satisfied with my career. Injuries happen; ups and downs happen. I try to recover as quickly as possible from injury and return to the ground. Whatever I can contribute to the team, I want to contribute in future as well,” he said further.
The pacer also said that he hasn’t changed much in bowling style, except that he wants to get over injuries quickly.
“Not really (I haven’t changed much). The only thing I have worked on is how to get over those injuries quickly. Not any major thing, just particular workload — how to recover from it quickly and a few things that trainers and physios advised me to do. But there is not any particular thing. Nothing has changed,” added the fast bowler.
The new ball bowler, who has represented India in 117 ODIs and 48 T20 Internationals, is by far the most experienced bowler in the Indian line-up on the Sri Lanka tour, said he is guiding youngsters.
“These are very talented young guys. They have done well in their respective IPL teams. They have made a place in Indian team. We never try to make anything complicated. Being a senior member, I have not done any rocket science, just tried to do things that we can contribute,” he added.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar will spearhead the pace attack with support from the likes of Deepak Chahar, Navdeep Saini, and Chetan Sakariya. Hardik Pandya will be another option as a pace-bowling all-rounder if he is fit to bowl.