Bhuvneshwar Kumar Reveals He Looks Up To Glenn McGrath For Inspiration And Emulates His Seam Position

Indian fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar has revealed that Australian legend Glenn McGrath’s success through line and length had impressed him a lot to learn fast bowling. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been associated with a lot of injuries in recent times and will be a great addition to the Indian pace attack once returns. He has represented Indian in 114 ODIs and 21 tests so far and he has a good seam position with the ability to move the ball both ways.

He started as a good new-ball bowler and used to bowl almost 7-8 overs in his opening spell till the ball becomes old. Later, he managed to add yorkers up his sleeve and he has been very effective in the shorter format after the addition. In fact, it brought him great success in IPL in 2016 and 2017, where he bagged the purple cap twice in a row. He was part of the Indian team for the 50 over world cup 2019 and fared out decently taking the new ball for India.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar Fascinated By McGrath’s Ability

Bhuvneshwar Kumar said that he was really fascinated by the way Mcgrath use to cut the ball away from the wicket. He told that he is trying to learn from McGrath how to emulate his seam position. He also stressed the difficulties in fast bowling which can take a toll on the body and added that commitment and dedication could reap benefits to improve in the fast bowling departments.

“I realized that given my lean physique, I wouldn’t be able to imitate the bulkier Shoaib Akhtar. Instead, I looked to Glen McGrath for inspiration. His strength and his line and length really impressed me. Till this day, I try to learn and emulate his seam position and how he makes the ball cut away from the wicket.

“Fast bowling is certainly tough because of the toll it takes on your body. However, if you are committed and dedicated, and pay attention to certain technical aspects, you can learn and improve,” said Bhuvneshwar Kumar in his exclusive online class with FrontRow

Bhuvneshwar Kumar Recalls His First Cricket Memory

Bhuvneshwar Kumar recalled his first cricket memory from the cricket World Cup 2019 during which India lost to New Zealand and he admitted that he cried a lot after the loss realizing his passion for the game. He also said that his coach spotted something in him with the ball on his first day at the Nets and he never looked back from there.

“My first cricket memory is of watching India’s 1999 World Cup game against New Zealand. I remember I was watching the game at home with my sister and I cried a lot when we lost. I will never forget that moment because that was when I realized how passionate I was about this game.

“In gully cricket, everybody thinks of themselves as an all-rounder. When I went to the academy for the first time with my sister, and the coach asked me what I did, I said everything. He saw something in me that made him hand me the ball, and since then I have never looked back,” said Bhuvneshar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar Kumar is currently working on his fitness and to be back in contention for an Indian spot.