"Today, we can say that our pace attack can make an impact on any surface": Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Batting-friendly pitches have been the talking point ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 in England. If the ongoing ODI bilateral series between England and Pakistan is anything to go by, bowlers are going to face a hard time come May 30 when the tournament gets underway. However, India pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has backed his team’s bowling attack to come good no matter the surface and conditions on offer.
Two-time champions India begin their campaign against South Africa on June 5 in Southampton. Bhuvneshwar, who is among the few members of the 2015 World Cup squad to have kept their place for the England tournament as well, says Indian attack, especially their pacers, have grown from strength to strength.
“I don’t want to comment on whether we are the best or not because our performance on the field is what will define our attack,” Bhuvneshwar told The Times of India on Thursday. “Our performances over the last few years speak for us. The Indian bowling attack has grown from strength to strength. Today, we can say that our pace attack can make an impact on any surface.”
He continued, “I agree that pitches in England in the last few years have been flat, but teams will be wary of India’s bowling unit since we can be potent both at the start and at the death. It will all boil down to how we execute the plans on the given day.”
With the emergence of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami making a strong comeback, the competition to break into the playing XI has become quite intense. However, Bhuvneshwar is unfazed saying each member adds a unique quality.
“Each one of us has our own strengths that we bring to the bowling unit. It is always a good thing that whoever is getting a chance in the playing XI has been performing well. As a bowling unit – we back ourselves to do well in any conditions,” he said.
Talking about his preparations for England, a country which offers conditions more suited to his swing bowling, the 29-year-old said, “I have always enjoyed bowling in England because there is some swing around, which is my strength. Unlike in India, pitches in England don’t usually get slower as the game progresses. So depending on whether the ball is moving or not, I make my plans. ”
Bhuvi had a mixed IPL 2019 where his bowling in death-overs came under intense scrutiny. Has he lost the touch? “I don’t think so. If you see in the last few games of the IPL for Sunrisers Hyderabad – I was able to execute my plans and that’s a very good sign. I am happy with the way things are going at the moment,” he replied.
In fact, he feels his bowling has undergone improvement in the past four years. “There has definitely been an improvement in my bowling in terms of pace and variations like the slower ball and knuckle ball. To add to that, I have improved fitness-wise,” he said.
https://www.cricketcountry.com/news...shwar-kumar-icc-cricket-world-cup-2019-844366
Batting-friendly pitches have been the talking point ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 in England. If the ongoing ODI bilateral series between England and Pakistan is anything to go by, bowlers are going to face a hard time come May 30 when the tournament gets underway. However, India pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has backed his team’s bowling attack to come good no matter the surface and conditions on offer.
Two-time champions India begin their campaign against South Africa on June 5 in Southampton. Bhuvneshwar, who is among the few members of the 2015 World Cup squad to have kept their place for the England tournament as well, says Indian attack, especially their pacers, have grown from strength to strength.
“I don’t want to comment on whether we are the best or not because our performance on the field is what will define our attack,” Bhuvneshwar told The Times of India on Thursday. “Our performances over the last few years speak for us. The Indian bowling attack has grown from strength to strength. Today, we can say that our pace attack can make an impact on any surface.”
He continued, “I agree that pitches in England in the last few years have been flat, but teams will be wary of India’s bowling unit since we can be potent both at the start and at the death. It will all boil down to how we execute the plans on the given day.”
With the emergence of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami making a strong comeback, the competition to break into the playing XI has become quite intense. However, Bhuvneshwar is unfazed saying each member adds a unique quality.
“Each one of us has our own strengths that we bring to the bowling unit. It is always a good thing that whoever is getting a chance in the playing XI has been performing well. As a bowling unit – we back ourselves to do well in any conditions,” he said.
Talking about his preparations for England, a country which offers conditions more suited to his swing bowling, the 29-year-old said, “I have always enjoyed bowling in England because there is some swing around, which is my strength. Unlike in India, pitches in England don’t usually get slower as the game progresses. So depending on whether the ball is moving or not, I make my plans. ”
Bhuvi had a mixed IPL 2019 where his bowling in death-overs came under intense scrutiny. Has he lost the touch? “I don’t think so. If you see in the last few games of the IPL for Sunrisers Hyderabad – I was able to execute my plans and that’s a very good sign. I am happy with the way things are going at the moment,” he replied.
In fact, he feels his bowling has undergone improvement in the past four years. “There has definitely been an improvement in my bowling in terms of pace and variations like the slower ball and knuckle ball. To add to that, I have improved fitness-wise,” he said.
https://www.cricketcountry.com/news...shwar-kumar-icc-cricket-world-cup-2019-844366
