IND vs SA: Bhuvneshwar Kumar Will Be Huge Plus For India In T20 WC In Australia': Sunil Gavaskar's Big Praise For 32-Year-Old Star

In India’s four-wicket loss to South Africa at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on Sunday, there was only one noteworthy player. The 32-year-old Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s performance gave the Indian squad some optimism until Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller put up a 64-run stand to help the visitors bounce back in style and finish the chase in 18.2 overs. 

Despite the loss, Sunil Gavaskar, the former India captain, was effusive in his appreciation for India’s star. 

Bhuvneshwar Kumar Provides India The Perfect Start

Forth the second T20I game of the five-match series, Bhuvneshwar Kumar put in an outstanding effort in Cuttack. 

He dismissed opener Reeza Hendricks with a superb inswinger in his first over, giving India a perfect start in defending their total. He got the better of Dwaine Pretorius with a knuckleball in his next over, and then returned for his last powerplay over to remove Rassie van der Dussen for only one run. 

South Africa was 29 for three at the end of the powerplay after Bhuvneshwar’s 3 for 10 with the new ball. Bhuvneshwar had three wickets in the powerplay for the first time in ten years. His most recent match was against Pakistan in Bengaluru in 2012. 

At the tail end of the chase, Bhuvneshwar returned for his final over and dismissed Wayne Parnell for only one run. Despite his efforts, India was defeated by four wickets.

Sunil Gavaskar Hails Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Gavaskar, on the other hand, praised the veteran’s performance and highlighted why he would be a tremendous asset to India in the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia. 

“He was just brilliant. The white ball doesn’t swing that much, in the air or off the surface, but he has got that capability. And that is why it was very good captaincy from Rishabh Pant to give him that third over in which he got a wicket as well.

Because after that the ball wouldn’t have moved that much as well and Bhuvneshwar would have been ineffective. But to have someone like him in Australia, where there will that little bit of more carry and bounce, I think that will be a huge plus,” he said. 

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