Bhuvneshwar Kumar Doubtful For First ODI Against West Indies: Report

Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s injury has been a major area of concern for Team India. An indispensable part of the limited-overs squad, the right-arm pacer has struggled to remain injury-free in recent times. Before playing in the just-concluded three-match T20I series against West Indies, he was out of action for a considerable amount of time.

The T20I against West Indies was his first appearance for India since the third ODI against the same team on 14 August. Since then, he missed the Test series against West Indies as well as the home series against South Africa and Bangladesh. After returning from the Caribbeans, he followed a rehabilitation programme at the National Cricket Academy.

And injury seems to have taken a toll on him once again. According to Mumbai Mirror, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has complained of pain and could be uncertain for the first ODI against West Indies in Chennai on December 15. The report further stated that the pacer felt discomfort after the third and final T20I against the visitors at the Wankhede on Wednesday night.

On reaching Chennai on Thursday afternoon, he informed the team management of pain. It is still not known if a replacement will be announced. But if the injury is serious, the team-management is likely to call up a replacement. Recently, Mayank Agarwal replaced Shikhar Dhawan in the team after the latter failed to recover from a keen injury he sustained while playing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

India eye ODI series:

India will be looking to continue their winning run in the upcoming ODI series too. After losing the second T20I, the Men in Blue thrashed the visitors in the third T20I to clinch the series and have the momentum on their side. Asked to bat first, India posted a mammoth total of 240 for 3, thanks to whirlwind knocks from KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

The bowlers then came up with a fine effort to ensure that the hosts register a comfortable win. West Indies managed only 173 for 8 despite their skipper Kieron Pollard scoring a quick fifty. They will be looking to bounce back in the ODI series but it would be a herculean task. The last time these two teams met in ODIs, India had registered two easy wins to win the three-match series 2-0 in the Caribbeans this summer. The high-flying Indian side will be the favourites for the series once.

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