"Better Skilled Bowler At Present Than Bhuvneshwar Kumar": Ex-India Star On Deepak Chahar

07.10.2022 - 08:23 sports.ndtv.com

It has been a decade but Bhuvneshwar Kumar's debut in what was the last bilateral series between India and Pakistan, seems like yesterday.

The very second delivery of his international career swung away and after pitching viciously tailed in to disturb opener Nasir Jamshed's timber.

Bhuvneshwar has not bowled such a delivery in the last two years. Now that he is expected to lead the Indian attack at the T20 World Cup, his own performance at the death overs is under the scanner.

There were some good spells but against good teams, that magic or 'X-factor' has been distinctly missing. He has, since that wicket-taking delivery, played 78 T20Is and a career economy rate of 7.02 appears more than decent but what has proved to be the Meerut man's undoing is handling the responsibility during the death overs.

cricket India Cricket Team on Harshal Patel Harbhajan Singh Deepak Chahar Bhuvneshwar Kumar Jasprit Bumrah Umran Malik India Pakistan

The BCCI announced the replacement for injured pacer Jasprit Bumrah for 2022 T20 World Cup on Friday. It will be Mohammed Shami who will fill the vacant spot and that will help the Indian side to continue having four full-time fast bowlers in the 15-member squad. Former India batter Robin Uthappa feels that Shami and Arshdeep Singh are certain to get a spot in the playing XI and it will be a toss-up between Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Harshal Patel, in case India decide to play with three pure pacers.

"Will Depend On How...": Former Batter's Huge Remark On India's Playing XI For T20 World Cup

"Best Car In The World Is Left In Garage": Brett Lee On India Star Not Being Part Of T20 World Cup

Umran Malik took the Indian Premier League by storm with his ability to bowl over 150 kmph regularly. While plying his trade for the SunRisers Hyderabad, Umran scalped 22 wickets from just 14 matches. He was then awarded with a debut India call-up for the T20I series against Ireland. However, after playing just three matches, he was dropped from the team. Umran was also left out of India's T20 World Cup squad. Speaking on Umran, former Australia pacer Brett Lee feels that the young pacer should've been included in India's squad for the showpiece event.

Watch: Team India's "Fun Day Out" In Australia Ahead Of T20 World Cup

In less than two weeks, things will begin to get really serious for the top cricket teams. The 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia is around the corner and the sides have started reaching Down Under for the marquee events. The Rohit Sharma-led Indian cricket team was one of the first sides to reach Australia. They have also played a warm-up game against Western Australia and are scheduled to play another against the same opponents on Thursday. Ahead of the second warm-up match, the side took some time out from their busy schedule and unwinded with a visit to the Rottnest Island.

"Will Probably Struggle": Wasim Akram On Veteran India Bowler's Chances In T20 World Cup

India's road to the T20 World Cup has been marred by injuries. It started with spin allrounder Ravindra Jadeja being ruled out due to injury and was followed by star pacer Jasprit Bumrah missing the marquee event, for the same reason. Even Deepak Chahar, who was on the standby list, is reportedly out of the T20 World Cup with an injury. In their absence, other pacers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh will have to take extra responsibility. However, former Pakistan cricket team pacer Wasim Akram feels that Bhuvneshwar Kumara will struggle in the T20 World Cup.

India "Played Timid Cricket In World Events": Nasser Hussain's Big Statement Ahead Of T20 World Cup 2022

India's wait for an ICC title is in its ninth year. The last time the Indian cricket team won an ICC event at the 2013 Champions Trophy, MS Dhoni was still the skipper. As the Rohit Sharma-led India gear up for the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, all the cricket fans of the team would hope for a change in fortune. However, the buildup to the event for India has been marred with injuries. Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah have been ruled out due to injury while stand-by pacer Deepak Chahar will also not be able to play in the T20 World Cup due to injury, according to a PTI report.