Bhuvneshwar Kumar is not 100 per cent fit in the IPL, says Sanjay Manjrekar.
Vivo IPL 2021: Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar reckons that senior Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar is not in his comprehensive fitness in the ongoing fourteenth season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and which can be clearly seen in his performances in the recent matches.
The senior Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) pacer hasn’t been effective since the resumption of the Vivo IPL 2021 and has picked just two wickets from four appearances and has also been expensive with an economy of 8.15.
The two times consecutive purple cap winner (in IPL 2016 & 2017) has just managed to pick five wickets from 10 IPL 2021 matches for SRH, which is an alarming sign for him as well as the Indian team for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2021.
Manjrekar analysing Kumar’s performance said that the pacer showed some flashbacks of his prime fitness during his comeback series against England in India, however, again was taken aback by some niggles during the Sri Lanka series.
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In conversation with ESPNcricinfo, Manjrekar felt that the slow track in the UAE may be one of the reasons for Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s ineffectiveness.
“When Bhuvi made his comeback during the home series against England, he was giving assurances that he’s back in his prime form again. But, then in Sri Lanka, it seemed like he’s not a hundred percent fit. Again, in the ongoing IPL, we can clearly see that he’s not at the peak of his fitness. This is the only for his underwhelming form currently because you can’t criticize him for his bowling. He’s speed has dipped a bit now. Trent Boult is in a similar situation, where his pace has also taken a hit.”
The pacer’s selection in the Indian T20 World Cup squad has taken social media on its toes. With consistent failures in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 phase two, netizens have raised several questions over the selection of the pacer.
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