India vs South Africa: Bhuvneshwar Kumar looking forward to getting back stronger after T20I series against South Africa

20.06.2022 - 10:21 timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Bhuvneshwar Kumar said that he will be looking forward to getting back stronger physically and with my bowling, after the fifth and the final T20I against South Africa got abandoned.

The fifth and final T20I between India and South Africa at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru was abandoned due to rain. With this, the series stays level at 2-2 and will be shared by both sides. "Really proud.

Body feels good, but I don't want to talk much about it. Just want to focus on getting back stronger physically and with my bowling.

Most of the times I bowl two at the top and two at the end," said Bhuvneshwar after the match got abandoned. "Being a senior, I also think about how to help the youngsters.

bowling Hardik Pandya Bhuvneshwar Kumar South Africa India

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India defeated Ireland by seven wickets in the first T20I of the two-match series between the sides on Sunday. Chasing a target of 109 runs in a rain-curtailed game, India reached home with 16 balls to spare. The 12-over-a-side match in Dublin also saw pace sensation Umran Malik making his India debut. While everyone was expecting an exhibition of fast bowling from Umran, it was Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who hogged limelight for his pace.

India vs Ireland 2022: Bhuvneshwar Kumar feels T20 format produces many talented cricketers

Bhuvneshwar Kumar said he enjoyed bowling in the first T20I against Ireland on Sunday, as the new ball swung early on in favourable cold conditions here. Blistering knocks by Deepak Hooda and skipper Hardik Pandya guided the visitors to a seven-wicket win in the rain-curtailed first T20I of the two-match series, here at Malahide Cricket Club Ground. After heavy rain, the regulation 20 overs were reduced to 12 per side with revised conditions. The powerplay was from one to four overs, with only three bowlers who can bowl two overs and two bowlers who could bowl three overs.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar Records Most Wickets In Powerplay In T20I History

India pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar recorded the most wickets in the powerplay in the history of the T20I format. Bhuvneshwar achieved this feat during the first T20I against Ireland in Dublin at Malahide Cricket Club Ground on Sunday. He dismissed Ireland skipper Andrew Balbirnie on the fifth delivery of the innings and completed his 34th powerplay wicket in T20I. With this wicket, the Indian pacer surpassed former West Indies spinner Samuel Badree and New Zealand pacer Tim Southee who have claimed 33-wicket each.

"Don't Play This Sport To Show Anything To Anybody": Hardik Pandya Ahead Of India-Ireland T20I Series

Hardik Pandya has been a revelation in recent times with some great cricket in the IPL and for the national side. He led Gujarat Titans from the from the front to help the new franchise win the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022. He was also the "Player of the Match" in the final with an all-round show. Then in the recently-concluded India-South Africa T20I series, Pandya batted with responsibility and impressed all. He will now be leading the Indian cricket team in the two-T20I series against Ireland, starting on Sunday. Ahead of the game, he was asked how he wants to prove his mettle because after the series, he won't be the captain anymore when the seniors return.

India vs South Africa T20I Series: Five Talking Points - From Ishan Kishan's Batting To Bhuvneshwar Kumar's Bowling

The recently-concluded India vs South Africa series saw an anti-climax as the decider match got washed out due to rain. However, by then, the spectators had already witnessed a neck-and-neck contest between the two sides that saw the series being drawn 2-2. It started with the Proteas' authority and concluded with a memorable comeback by Team India. Though the final match couldn't take place, the series gave a good opportunity to both the sides to test themselves ahead of the T20 World Cup in Australia later this year.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar was special through the series: Mark Boucher

Mark Boucher termed India seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar's performance in the series as "special" while ruing the absence of Aiden Markram, who he feels could have made a lot of difference for the Proteas over the course of the five T20Is. Bhuvneshwar, who now only plays white-ball cricket, got six wickets in four completed games and gave away only 85 runs in 14 overs at an economy rate which was just a shade above six runs per over. "Bhuvi was special in this whole series as we came up against some quality bowling. He put us under pressure in Powerplays and barring one game (Delhi), where we got off to a good start, they have dominated us with both ball and bat in Powerplays," Boucher said after the series ended in 2-2 despite Proteas going 2-0 up at the onset.