Out of form Bhuvneshwar Kumar a major worry for Team India

Seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar's lacklustre performances in the end overs are disrupting India's plans for the T20 World CupOn August 28, when Bhuvneshwar Kumar took 4-26 to play a key role in India's thrilling five-wicket win over arch-rivals Pakistan in the Asia Cup at Dubai, few thought that, with just a month left before their 2022 T20 World Cup opener against the same opponents, India's sole 'T20 specialist' bowler would become a source of one of India's biggest worries. In three out of India's last four matches, Bhuvneshwar has been taken to the cleaners in the penultimate over. Everything that he has tried-yorker, wide yorker, slower ball, knuckle ball or a bouncer, has failed, as he has ended up becoming cannon fodder for batsmen waiting to pounce on his friendly medium pace.

OUT OF FORM: India skipper Rohit Sharma (left) won't be pleased with Bhuvneshwar Kumar's recent efforts.In the Super 4 game of the Asia Cup, Pakistan needed 26 off 2 overs, when the 32-year-old conceded 19 in the 19th over, eventually finishing with 0-40 in 4 overs. In India's next Super 4 game of the Asia Cup, Sri Lanka needed 21 of 2 overs, when Bhuveshwar went for 14 in the 19th over. This time, the experienced campaigner went for 0-30 in 4 overs. In both games, Arshdeep Singh had the unfair task of defending just 7 in the final over, something which the youngster attempted valiantly. At Mohali in the first T20I against India on Tuesday night, Australia needed 55 off 4 overs, when Bhuvi was summoned. This time, Mathew Wade had a 'party' at his expense, taking 15 off his 17th over, and 16 off his 19th. Bhuvneshwar's figures made for a sorry reading-4-0-52-0, the first time that he has conceded more than 50 in a T20I.