IND vs SA T20 Series: Bhuvneshwar Kumar will play the most important series of his career against South Africa. His form has been up and down in the last two years due to injuries. But with Umran Malik bursting into the scene and T Natarajan is looking to make a comeback, the selectors prefer to go with them over Bhuvneshwar in the T20 World Cup. Follow India vs South Africa Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.
“For sure, it will be an important series for Bhuvneshwar. The simple reason is competition. He will remain a valuable member of the ODI side but in T20, he has immense competition from the young guys. Umran is an exciting talent, Natarajan is also recovering from injury. So, let’s see how it goes,” a BCCI selection committee member told InsideSport.
IND vs SA T20 Series: Last Chance Saloon for Bhuvneshwar Kumar in T20s? Selectors more interested in Umran & Natarajan in T20 World Cup
Although Bhuvneshwar Kumar was brilliant with his death-overs bowling for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2022, he has way too many competitions. Umran Malik with his fast deliveries has already become the talk of the country. T Natarajan, Mohsin Khan, and Mohammed Siraj are also options besides Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami leading the pace attack.
IND vs SA T20 Series: Last Chance Saloon for Bhuvneshwar Kumar in T20s? Selectors more interested in Umran & Natarajan in T20 World Cup
IND vs SA T20 Series: Why South Africa series crucial for Bhuvneshwar Kumar?
- With no Bumrah and Shami for SA series, Bhuvneshwar Kumar will be the leader of the pace attack.
- But he will also have to compete against Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik and Avesh Khan.
- If Umran and Arshdeep deliver the goods against South Africa, both are likely to play against England and later in the Asia Cup.
- India’s bowling performance in T20 World Cup was not up to the mark, especially Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s.
- In IPL 2022, Bhuvneshwar Kumar blew hot and cold. He bagged 12 wickets in 14 games with an economy rate of 7.34. He was also excellent in death overs.
- But there were matches when he was off-colour.
IND vs SA T20 Series: Last Chance Saloon for Bhuvneshwar Kumar in T20s? Selectors more interested in Umran & Natarajan in T20 World Cup
IND vs SA T20 Series: Last Chance Saloon for Bhuvneshwar Kumar in T20s? Selectors more interested in Umran & Natarajan in T20 World Cup
As he will be the only senior pacer in the squad against South Africa, a lot will depend on him. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami have been rested with Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan the three other pacers. Hardik Pandya’s return as an all-rounder will be a big boost for India.
For Bhuvneshwar Kumar to board the flight to Australia, he will have to remain amongst wickets while also not conceding many runs. The big reason is that India can only carry 16 players for the T20 World Cup and he may miss out if he does not put up stand out performances.
“It’s always a difficult task when you have so many pace bowling options and you can only pick a 16-member team. Hardik’s return to bowling gives us the balance. But a lot will depend on how Bhuvneshwar performs in the next few series,” the member of the selection committee said.
IND vs SA T20 Series: Last Chance Saloon for Bhuvneshwar Kumar in T20s? Selectors more interested in Umran & Natarajan in T20 World Cup
Indian Team for SA T20: All you need to know about itinerary
- The 18-member squad will assemble at the NCA by June 5 after completing IPL duties.
- They will undergo a fitness camp under VVS Laxman and physio Nitin Patel’s supervision.
- After the short camp, they will fly out to Delhi on June 7 ahead of the first match on June 9.
- Rahul Dravid is likely to be available for the entire South Africa series.
- The red-ball team will leave for England barring KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant. They will join the squad in England after SA series.
India’s T20I squad: KL Rahul (Captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, Deepak Hooda, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (vice-captain)(wk), Dinesh Karthik (wk), Hardik Pandya, Venkatesh Iyer, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik
IND vs SA T20 Series: Last Chance Saloon for Bhuvneshwar Kumar in T20s? Selectors more interested in Umran & Natarajan in T20 World Cup
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