India’s unsung hero in the Cuttack ODI, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, has said he has improved his death bowling a lot, and that he gives credit to IPL for the same.
Speaking to the media prior to the third ODI, Bhuvi, as his nick name suggests, said his experience in bowling the end overs has kept him in that frame of mind and that he is happy he could contribute in India’s crucial win in the second ODI by 15 runs.
“The way I’m bowling at the death, it’s all thanks to the IPL. A lot of bowling in the death in the IPL has added to my experience and given me the mindset. Keeping that in mind, I thought whatever I’ve done there I will do it here. It has paid for me.”
During the Cuttack ODI, the right-arm seamer held his nerves and bowled exceptionally well in last ten overs, which prevented England from successfully chasing the target. Bowling with the wet ball, given the presence of dew on the field, Bhuvneshwar said it’s isn’t easy to bowl under such circumstances and to tackle that, he practiced with the red ball before the match.
“It’s most difficult to bowl with wet ball. Before that match we were practicing with red ball.”
Bhuvneshwar, who was brought in by India skipper Virat Kohli in 42nd over, clipped Moeen Ali’s stumps before he was dropped in deep by Jadeja. Bhuvi, however, was instrumental in maintaining his economy and did build pressure on them, which helped bowlers to pick wickets from the other end.
In his second stint while bowling in last eight overs, the seamer gave away just 32 runs, finishing his match figures with one for 63 in 10 overs.
“I knew I had five overs left. I knew it can swing either ways. I had experience how to bowl thanks to IPL. There was pressure, dew was there. But the moment I bowled the first over (42nd), I got my confidence back. You need an over to get your confidence going. It was an over that boosted my confidence.”
Having already sealed the three-match ODI series 2-0, India will take on England in Kolkata for the dead rubber, and Bhuvi said there is no pressure on India to perform and they would rather enjoy their time on the pitch.
“Pressure is over. No pressure now, having won series but you want to win in each and every match. You will enjoy this more than the last two games, knowing that we have won the series.”
(Quotes courtesy: PTI)