ICC World Cup 2019: India Should Drop Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Feels Sanjay Manjrekar

Indian National Cricket Team had a poor start to their campaign as they lost the first warm-up game against New Zealand by six wickets at the Kennington Oval. As they gear up to return to winning ways before their World Cup campaign opener, former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar feels they should drop Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Also, Manjrekar batted for the inclusion of all-rounder Hardik Pandya in the playing XI for his batting ability.

India should drop Bhuvneshwar – Manjrekar

Virat Kohli’s decision to bat first came back to haunt him as the openers – Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan got back to the hut early. Striving at 10 for two, Trent Boult shed fire with the new ball as he removed KL Rahul while Jimmy Neesham removed Kohli to have India at 39 for four. However, significant contributions from Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja helped them post 179 runs. In pursuit, Jasprit Bumrah kept up the pressure removing Colin Munro in the second over. Martin Guptill followed the pack soon, but Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor shared a 114-run stand for the third wicket to set the tone for the chase. Although Taylor and Williamson got out, Henry Nicholls ensured New Zealand home safely.

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Indian National Cricket Team will get one more chance to get their combination in place. With Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav doing a great job together, one of the three pacers – Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar could be in line for the axe. Former India cricketer turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar feels Hardik Pandya should play ahead of Kumar, who has had a lean patch in the ODIs in recent times.

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“In 50-overs cricket, we don’t quite see the best of Bhuvneshwar Kumar. He has a great attitude and is someone who isn’t gifted. He has worked against all odds to make a contribution. He tends to strain at times in the death during 50-overs cricket due to his lack of pace and strength, Manjrekar said.

India is likely to drop Bhuvneshwar and get Hardik Pandya in because of the batting ability. He is a kind of bowler the world has seen a lot of,” Sanjay Manjrekar added.

Meanwhile, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has not played much cricket in recent due to injuries, and the management has decided to rest him. This is the time when Mohammed Shami came up the ranks and sealed his place in the first XI. In conclusion, Sanjay Manjrekar rated Kumar’s performance six out of ten.

India will play against Bangladesh in the second warm-up game on May 28 before their campaign opener against South Africa on June 5.