Bhuvneshwar Kumar Opens Up on Playing Across the Formats

Of late, Team India speedster Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been the lethal bowler for India across formats. His presence in the side has been a massive boost for the team as he has gone from strength to strength during his International career.

Bhuvneshwar’s absence in the ongoing Test series against England is quite visible. His presence at Edgbaston would have given India the option of swing bowler who can contribute with the bat as well.

Test Cricket is the toughest format: Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Speaking of the challenges in various formats, Bhuvneshwar maintained there would be a different set of plan for each series. He feels that the Test format is the toughest of all which demands the fitness of a player.

Bhuvneshwar went on say that the players acclimatizing to the conditions play the key role. He added that playing 3-4 day practice matches will help the player understand the conditions better.

”It depends. If we have a One Day series, so the preparation is according to the shorter format but if you have to switch formats then practice comes to the fore,” Bhuvneshwar said.

 

”You play three-four day match as it’s very important to get acclimatized to the place for longer format because Test format is the toughest thing, you have to be there 5 days on the field. The only change in bowling is the line and length and variation. If you play T20s, it’s more about variations and in Test matches, it’s more about the classical requirements of line and length,” he added to his lines.

There is a big difference in the training schedule: Bhuvneshwar on his bowling change

Earlier, Bhuvneshwar has heavily relied on his swing bowling. The former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni always asked him to finish his spell with the new ball irrespective of One-day Internationals or Twenty20 Internationals.

However, the swing master did a lot of work on his bowling and added the all-important pace factor as well.

Speaking of the same, Bhuvneshwar added that he has put in a lot of effort into it.

”It’s more about fitness. There is a big difference in the training schedule I had two to three years ago and the one that I have now. Some particular exercises have helped as well. Maybe, in the last three years, my body has matured a lot with age which has helped me in increasing my pace,” Bhuvneshwar said.

 

”So the main thing has been the change in my fitness regimes. Our Indian team trainer has introduced a few things as well and all that collectively has helped me to increase my speed,” he added while speaking to Sportskeeda.

All in all, Bhuvneshwar turned himself into a lethal bowling option for the Men in Blue. His ability to deliver under the pressure has been the big asset and is currently in a recovering phase of his bad back.