3 Players Who Can Replace Bhuvneshwar Kumar In The Indian Squad On The Sri Lanka Tour

Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar might miss out on the upcoming tour to Sri Lanka after developing COVID-19 symptoms. Bhuvi and his wife have quarantined themselves as a precautionary measure. The news comes days after Bhuvneshwar’s mother was admitted to a hospital after testing positive. The Indian pacer was not included in the Indian squad announced for the World Test Championship final and the subsequent England tour. His exclusion from the squad came as surprise to many.

India Tour of Sri Lanka which is scheduled to be held in July later this year has been revised to three ODIs and as many T20Is. Initially, it was reported that India will play three ODIs and five T20Is. However, as per reports in ESPN Cricinfo, the tour itinerary has been rearranged and reworked. As per SLC’s proposed itinerary to the BCCI, accessed by ESPNcricinfo, the series will commence with the ODIs on July 13, 16, 19 followed by the T20I series on July 22, 24, 27. All matches will be played in Colombo’s Premadasa stadium.

3 Players Who Can Replace Bhuvneshwar Kumar For Sri Lanka Tour

Harshal Patel

Harshal played for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in this edition of the IPL. He took 17 wickets in the season before it was suspended by the BCCI. He also took a fifer against Mumbai Indians in the IPL, becoming only the second bowler to do so.

His skillful change of pace and other variations makes him a very good option to replace Bhuvneshwar. he will be effective at the start and in the death overs which makes him a perfect replacement for Bhuvneshwar Kumar who is going through a rough patch.

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Chetan Sakariya

Sakariya was a revelation for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2021. He took seven wickets in seven games and did not look out of place among the big boys. With Natarajan not match fit and Khaleel Ahmed not in form, Sakariya is the only potential left-arm option available.

Jaydev Unadkat has also fallen out of favor for a return in the Indian squad. Sakariya, unfortunately, lost his father due to COVID just after the league was suspended, just like Bhuvneshwar Kumar. This tour can be a great learning curve for the youngster.

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Avesh Khan

Having moved to Delhi Capitals from RCB, Avesh Khan groomed himself under DC coach Ricky Ponting. He made a name for himself playing with the likes of Ishant Sharma and Kagiso Rabada. Khan got 14 wickets from eight games including the likes of Indian skipper Virat Kohli and former skipper MS Dhoni.

He made crucial breakthroughs whenever his skipper Rishabh Pant needed a wicket. He played alongside Pant in the U-19 World Cup in 2016. He returned as India’s highest wicket-taker with 12 wickets at an average of 15.08. Avesh Khan is an exciting prospect in the next generation of Indian bowlers along with Sakariya and others.

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