IND vs SA: "Even If Jasprit Bumrah Would Have Been Around, We Couldn't Have Done Those Extra Things"- Bhuvneshwar Kumar Highlight India's Death Bowling Woes

Jasprit Bumrah’s absence is unquestionably a major loss, but veteran India seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar emphasized that it has never meant that the present bowling squad will stray from their particular strategies.

While Bumrah was forced to withdraw from the T20 World Cup due to a back stress fracture, Bhuvneshwar had to deal with criticism of his death over his performance at the Asia Cup and the ensuing bilateral series. 

We Are Doing Exactly What Are Strengths Are: Bhuvneshwar Kumar

But generally, the Meerut player has been in great rhythm, and it was the pressure he applied to Pakistan with his first session of sharp swing bowling that allowed young Arshdeep Singh to dismiss Mohammed Rizwan and Babar Azam. 

“The kind of bowler Bumrah is, certainly it’s a big loss for the team. It’s not as if we would have to do something extra that Bumrah isn’t around,” Bhuvneshwar told reporters in the mixed zone after another tight show against the Netherlands. 

“Even if Bumrah would have been around, we couldn’t have done those extra things. We are doing exactly what our strengths are.”  

Bhuvneshwar gave the sense that he wasn’t amused when asked whether the criticism of his Asia Cup death bowling had upset him after having performed excellently for India for a decade. 

“Itni saalon mein ek baar ho gayi cheezein kharab. So ho gayi. Baat khatm. (In all these years, I have had this one off tournament. It’s happened. It’s done and dusted). 

“Media and commentators can say a lot of things (about death bowling), but as a team we knew that we will have our share of ups and downs. 

“T20 is a format where it could be tough for bowlers and even for batters if the track is difficult one. But since Asia Cup is a big event people do tend to assess you that much more.”  

Bhuvneshwar claimed he avoids social media during significant occurrences. 

“During World Cup, I keep myself completely off from social media and have no idea what all is written about. Because it’s the social media from which you come to know all these things.”  

Never Expected My Deliveries Would Swing So Much: Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Rizwan claimed that Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s swing in the tournament opener against Pakistan really pained him and that he had never anticipated such swing in Australia. 

“I never expected that my deliveries would swing so much. Whether me or Arshdeep who got two wickets, me and Arshdeep complimented each other. So you can say I was happy,” the senior bowler said. 

Talking about Arshdeep, Bhuvneshwar said that he has been amazing since his debut and keeps asking questions about how the wicket will behave or how the batters will play here. 

“He has been amazing since his debut. He was always asking about what kind of track will there be on offer and what kind of shots the batters will play on this track. He asks me and also Rohit and Virat. Considering his first T20 WC, he is doing really well.”

Bhuvneshwar Kumar also confirmed that there are no assigned death bowlers. 

“There are no assigned death bowler as such. You can’t plan like that in cricket, where even before a tourney starts, you know who your death bowlers are. 

“A lot of things are instinctive and captain takes a call on how he assesses the situation at that very moment.” 

Preparation In Perth Was Very Important: Bhuvneshwar Kumar

The Indian squad spent seven days training in Perth, which might be an asset when they face South Africa on Saturday. 

“The first phase of preparation when we touched down here in Perth was the most crucial one. The strategy changes with each team as batters change. We discussed and trained on execution of plans. 

“If you lose a match first up in a tournament and that too against a tough team like Pakistan, it would have been difficult to make a comeback.” The trend in such events is that batters go hell for leather in the back 10, he said. 

“You might feel as bowling unit we conceded 15 to 20 more (34 in last 3 overs) but that has been a pattern of all teams in this World Cup,” Bhuvneshwar Kumar said. 

“If you see most matches, teams haven’t scored much in first 10 but once the ball becomes a touch older, set batters start making runs.” 

Also Read: IND vs SA: ‘Suryakumar Yadav Has Taken Pressure Off Of Indian Top Order’: Gautam Gambhir