[VIDEOS/PICTURES] Bhuvneshwar Kumar is a blunt spearhead

[Bilal7]

As of this moment, he has 96 wickets in 91 ODIs. These are the sort of stats one would expect from a part-time bowler, not someone who opens the bowling and bowls at the death in nearly every match. I want to criticize his body language and physique as well but I fear it will take the discussion away from the very valid criticism of his poor wicket-taking ability.

India need to drop him for a wicket-taker like Shami or a youngster like Khaleel because Kumar will not be winning them any matches at the next World Cup.

 

[Xoib]

Bumrah is the spearhead

 

[saeedhk]

He is better than every Pakistani bowler. In fact, all current Indian bowlers are better than Pakistani bowlers.

Pakistan’s bowling is at par with Bangladesh.

 

[Ab Fan]

Bhuvi is phenomenal with the new ball while Bumrah is India's spearhead.

 

[Bilal7]

Bhuvi is phenomenal with the new ball while Bumrah is India's spearhead.

96 wickets in 91 matches. A team can have more than one spearhead and Kumar has been in the team far longer than Bumrah has.

 

[ipl_fan]

India does not have world beater bowlers. We function as a unit and feed off one another. This star culture and looking at people individually is what is killing Pakistan ODI Cricket.

 

[alized]

He literally destroyed us last week

 

[Abhilash93]

Shami is being rested right now and rightfully so. He has a stellar ODI record and will be in the reckoning for a spot in the WC squad (that is assuming that he is fully fit and in form).

So if Bhuvi is found wanting, he can always come in.

 

[BlackShadow]

This is very similar to the thread supporting Amir's axing. Bhuvi creates pressure and gives other bowlers a better chance of picking wickets. Anyone with half decent Cricketing acumen should be able to see that.

But then OP rates Amla higher than Kohli, so I guess the thread isn't a surprise.

 

[Indiafan]

Bhuvi should be played in tests. We need a wicket taking odi bowler to complement Bumrah

 

[Sam99]

I have made thread on this last year and sadly indian fans don't want me to agree on this.

 

[Dingolfy]

As of this moment, he has 96 wickets in 91 ODIs. These are the sort of stats one would expect from a part-time bowler, not someone who opens the bowling and bowls at the death in nearly every match. I want to criticize his body language and physique as well but I fear it will take the discussion away from the very valid criticism of his poor wicket-taking ability.

India need to drop him for a wicket-taker like Shami or a youngster like Khaleel because Kumar will not be winning them any matches at the next World Cup.

He is good at death and also can whack few runs which might be favoring his presence in the team as we have a long tail . But your criticism is valid.He needs to take more wickets with new ball.

 

[Swashbuckler]

Useless bowler, would prefer to see Shami or Yadav as spearhead. Youngsters will have to wait because WC is around the corner.

 

[King Kong]

People say he has improved but he has a worse average in the last two years than his overall career average. Indian fans should stop lying to themselves and accept he is garbage. He does bowl few yorkers at death but misses way too often. Probably those yorkers when he gets it right is making people get a wrong impression that he is a good death bowler.

 

[Sachin136]

India does not have world beater bowlers. We function as a unit and feed off one another. This star culture and looking at people individually is what is killing Pakistan ODI Cricket.

If Bumrah and Kuldeep aren't world beaters then I don't know who are.

 

[Last Monetarist]

Umm... Imran Khan took 182 ODI wickets in 175 matches. I guess that meets the definition of a blunt spearhead according to the OP.

 

[Mamoon]

Still better than Amir.

 

[Buffet]

Umm... Imran Khan took 182 ODI wickets in 175 matches. I guess that meets the definition of a blunt spearhead according to the OP.

Bhuv has 96 wickets in 91 matches. Well he has to double the match with the same bluntness to match great IK's bluntness.

 

[Ab Fan]

Averages of other Indian bowlers:-

Bumrah- 21
Kuldeep- 20
Chahal- 24

And they are coming from overseas tours of SA and England where they had success.

 

[JaDed]

Then what are your bowlers? Maybe advice PCT on the same.

 

[Itachi]

As long as he gets the job done, I'll accept his mediocrity and will give a place in the team.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Bhuvi has been awful in ODIs.

His average against top 5 teams is atrocious.

He simply contains, that's it. Even that is sporadic these days.

 

[austerlitz]

Lol,in english conditions in wc he can run through a top 3 if you are not careful.

 

[Joseph Gomes]

Bhuvi has been awful in ODIs.

His average against top 5 teams is atrocious.

He simply contains, that's it. Even that is sporadic these days.

He is the most overrated ODI bowler in the world. At least Amir has performed well in tourneys. Bhuvneshwar hasn't done absolutely anything in ODIs. The way Indian fans rate him highly makes me baffled.

 

[rhony]

He is the only decent swing bowler India has. He is also a decent death bowler. He is a good fielder and can hold the bat when needed. Better as an overall package compared to Shami and Yadav

 

[Joseph Gomes]

He is the only decent swing bowler India has. He is also a decent death bowler. He is a good fielder and can hold the bat when needed. Better as an overall package compared to Shami and Yadav

He is garbage in ODIs, you must be thinking of tests. An out of form Shami is better than Bhuvi would ever be in ODIs.

 

[rhony]

He is garbage in ODIs, you must be thinking of tests. An out of form Shami is better than Bhuvi would ever be in ODIs.

Bhuvi was MOM not too long ago. When did Shami do anything in ODIs after the last WC? Umesh is a spray gun. Both of them can't even hold the bat. Bhuvi can keep it tight in the early overs and he usually is a decent death bowler. It's not always about wickets in ODIs. You can win games even if you don't dismiss the opposition out

 

[Joseph Gomes]

Bhuvi was MOM not too long ago. When did Shami do anything in ODIs after the last WC? Umesh is a spray gun. Both of them can't even hold the bat. Bhuvi can keep it tight in the early overs and he usually is a decent death bowler. It's not always about wickets in ODIs. You can win games even if you don't dismiss the opposition out

Bhuvi never did anything. Whatever Shami did is lightyears ahead of Bhuvi. Bhuvi won't even be the second best pacer in Bangladesh, let alone Pakistan.

 

[Srtfan]

We don't have too many good bowler in odi like test.umesh is spraygun.they need to try some new bowler khalil or prasidh

 

[rhony]

Bhuvi never did anything. Whatever Shami did is lightyears ahead of Bhuvi. Bhuvi won't even be the second best pacer in Bangladesh, let alone Pakistan.

Just random statements don't make an argument. Lightyears and second best pacer are all rhetorics without any basis of fact. Bhuvi went for runs in 1 out of 20 overs against Pak this series on dead pitches and was MOM in the last game. You are comparing him with someone who's not deemed as good as Khalil.

 

[Joseph Gomes]

Just random statements don't make an argument. Lightyears and second best pacer are all rhetorics without any basis of fact. Bhuvi went for runs in 1 out of 20 overs against Pak this series on dead pitches and was MOM in the last game. You are comparing him with someone who's not deemed as good as Khalil.

Just look at their career stats. Bhuvi would be a good bench warmer.

 

[the_outsider]

Umm... Imran Khan took 182 ODI wickets in 175 matches. I guess that meets the definition of a blunt spearhead according to the OP.

[MENTION=129948]Bilal7[/MENTION]

 

[IAJ]

With all respect, I would have loved to have a bowler like Bhuvi in Pakistan. Very economical and you will see his worth come the WC next year.

 

[cricketindiafan]

A strange one really. His accuracy and control is what our team managenent prefers overs the striking ability (at the risk of lack of control) of Shami, else nothing explains how can a guy averaging 25 in ODIs not be playing regularlt. We have tried j9kers like Kaul and Thakur but not Shami. Very strange.

On Bhuvi, biggest fear is the day he is off color, Bumrah comes under immense pressue and will struggle (like in CT final). Best is to rotate him with Shami to keep both of them ready for big battles.

 

[the_outsider]

A strange one really. His accuracy and control is what our team managenent prefers overs the striking ability (at the risk of lack of control) of Shami, else nothing explains how can a guy averaging 25 in ODIs not be playing regularlt. We have tried j9kers like Kaul and Thakur but not Shami. Very strange.

On Bhuvi, biggest fear is the day he is off color, Bumrah comes under immense pressue and will struggle (like in CT final). Best is to rotate him with Shami to keep both of them ready for big battles.

I think the team management feels Shami isn't athletic enough for LOIs and most importantly, he is a joke with bat in hand.

India has a very long tail and we need all the help we can get. I would rather have Bhuvi than Shami come out to bat at 8 when we need 30 runs to win.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

As of this moment, he has 96 wickets in 91 ODIs. These are the sort of stats one would expect from a part-time bowler, not someone who opens the bowling and bowls at the death in nearly every match. I want to criticize his body language and physique as well but I fear it will take the discussion away from the very valid criticism of his poor wicket-taking ability.

India need to drop him for a wicket-taker like Shami or a youngster like Khaleel because Kumar will not be winning them any matches at the next World Cup.

Completely agree with u.
New ball bowlers need to take wicket not just do the containing job.
Mohd shami is much better

 

[Rohit_Beardman]

He delivers when it matters

 

[Hasan123]

Bhuvi is better than all our seamers apart from Hasan Ali and Amir. But on form Bhuvi isn't bowling any worse than Amir.

 

[cricketindiafan]

I think the team management feels Shami isn't athletic enough for LOIs and most importantly, he is a joke with bat in hand.

India has a very long tail and we need all the help we can get. I would rather have Bhuvi than Shami come out to bat at 8 when we need 30 runs to win.

When was the last time Bhuvi's batting won us a match? I can renember a partnership with Dhoni a couple of years.

I would much rather have a bowler who can take 2-3 wickets every 2nd match, which Shami does. Bhuvi only does so in certain conditions. He's been very good so far in Asia cup, let us see if he can sustain this

 

[Bangalorean]

With all respect, I would have loved to have a bowler like Bhuvi in Pakistan. Very economical and you will see his worth come the WC next year.

Good to see sensible post without any bias

 

[the_outsider]

When was the last time Bhuvi's batting won us a match? I can renember a partnership with Dhoni a couple of years.

I would much rather have a bowler who can take 2-3 wickets every 2nd match, which Shami does. Bhuvi only does so in certain conditions. He's been very good so far in Asia cup, let us see if he can sustain this

Bhuvi is a much better batsman than Shami. Shami is a better wicket taking bowler but I really don't feel comfortable with a tail that starts from no 8. Look at England, they have hitters all the way down to 10.

And yes, Bhuvi has definitely underperformed. But what the stats hide about Bhuvi is that he has the ability to win you matches singlehandedly. When he is on he is on. He has done that every now and then.

And the most important reason I would pick Bhuvi over Shami is death bowling. Shami is a terrible death bolwer. He goes at over 12 RPO in the death in the IPL. Every team needs 2 death over specialists in the side.

India already has 3 aggressive wicket taking options in Bumrah, Kuldeep and Chahal. I like the balance of defensive death bowling that Bhuvi brings to this mix.

Remember, sometimes the whole is greater than the sum of parts.

 

[the_outsider]

Completely agree with u.
New ball bowlers need to take wicket not just do the containing job.
Mohd shami is much better

Shami may take more wickets but he is terrible in the death overs.

LOI cricket is played differently in this era. Certain roles become important than others. Teams need death over specialists nowadays and Bumrah and Bhuvi are the best death over bowlers in India.

 

[Sam99]

Shami may take more wickets but he is terrible in the death overs.

LOI cricket is played differently in this era. Certain roles become important than others. Teams need death over specialists nowadays and Bumrah and Bhuvi are the best death over bowlers in India.

Terrible in death overs? Looks like you followed shami only in ipl. He was our best death bowler from 2013-2015 worldcup (where he played with injury). Bhuvi is most impact less bowler i have every seen. Bumrah & Leggies do their job to hide his inability of picking wickets. I would pick part timers over bhuvi for sure. This guys avg vs top countries is like 60s and 70s

 

[the_outsider]

Terrible in death overs? Looks like you followed shami only in ipl. He was our best death bowler from 2013-2015 worldcup (where he played with injury). Bhuvi is most impact less bowler i have every seen. Bumrah & Leggies do their job to hide his inability of picking wickets. I would pick part timers over bhuvi for sure. This guys avg vs top countries is like 60s and 70s

Death overs bowling has changed dramatically from 2014 to now. Shami has not reliable in the death even back then. He doesn't have a consistent yorker and he doesn't have any slower balls. Even back in 2015 he was going at 5.8 RPO against the top teams. Compared to that Bhuvi's ER is 5.37. That may seem like not a lot. But it gets magnified in the death overs.

I really like Shami. Based on the talent I think Shami is miles ahead of Bhuvi.

But Bhuvi shines as a utility player. He has developed all the skills necessary to be able to play a role at every stage. He brought back his swing and accuracy for the first powerplay phase. And then added the yorker, a sharp bouncer and a brilliant knuckle ball for the death overs.

In a team sport playing a designated role is very important. Shami has more talent. But Bhuvi has every single skill necessary to fot LOI pace bowling in 2018. Shami doesn't.

 

[Rahul1]

Maybe. But at least he takes wickets unlike a certain someone.

 

[Benchwarmer]

With every team opting for BATDEEP formula and ideal batting conditions,it doesn't even matter if your strike bowler takes a wicket or two at the top.Top teams WILL stabilize themselves and go really hard at the death,India is an exception because of the freakish top 3 and poor middle order.
So I would rather want my pace bowler to be a good death bowler and not too expensive in the first pp.Bhuvi does what is required of him which is to dry up runs so that spinners aren't defensive when they come to bowl.
Perfect example is Umesh in this years IPL,he kept getting wickets at the top but was a spraygun at the death which more often than not ended up handing the momentum to opposition

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Mohammed Shami s international career is done and dusted. I can see the case for Khaleel though.

 

[AMSS]

Bhuvneshwar is garbage. His high profile among Indian fans and ex cricketers alike is certainly a mystery.

 

[Bilal7]

Umm... Imran Khan took 182 ODI wickets in 175 matches. I guess that meets the definition of a blunt spearhead according to the OP.

[MENTION=129948]Bilal7[/MENTION]

It is sad that these kind of posts are made. Imran Khan was an all-rounder who played as a batsman for the latter part of his career. Is Kumar playing as a batsman for India these days?

A strange one really. His accuracy and control is what our team managenent prefers overs the striking ability (at the risk of lack of control) of Shami, else nothing explains how can a guy averaging 25 in ODIs not be playing regularlt. We have tried j9kers like Kaul and Thakur but not Shami. Very strange.

On Bhuvi, biggest fear is the day he is off color, Bumrah comes under immense pressue and will struggle (like in CT final). Best is to rotate him with Shami to keep both of them ready for big battles.

Yes, his control does not matter much when batsmen are able to attack him on flatter pitches. I feel that he will be destroyed at the next World Cup if India do not drop him soon.

 

[Buffet]

Imran Khan was an all-rounder who played as a batsman for the latter part of his career. Is Kumar playing as a batsman for India these days?

IK till the end of 1986 when he played as a front line bowler - 64 ODIs with 80 wickets - 1.2 wickets per match. Clearly, IK was not picking many wickets in ODI playing as bowler.

It's not to say that Bhuv and IK are in the same class because IK was surely a better ODI bowler than Kumar. ODI is not just about picking wickets. It's about giving less runs + picking up wickets.

 

[Buffet]

Just wickets can't define any bowler otherwise Agarakar from India with 288 wickets in 191 ODIs would have been known as one of the great bowlers in world.

 

[BaankeJi]

It is sad that these kind of posts are made. Imran Khan was an all-rounder who played as a batsman for the latter part of his career. Is Kumar playing as a batsman for India these days?



Yes, his control does not matter much when batsmen are able to attack him on flatter pitches. I feel that he will be destroyed at the next World Cup if India do not drop him soon.

His ODI record is ordinary. He had a good 2017 but apart from that it us not much to talk about.
With that kind of wicket taking ability, he cannot be regarded as a spearhead. Thankfully, we have discovered Bumrah. Bhuvneshwar can provide economy for Bumrah to take wickets.

In tests, his record has been very good though.

 

[BreadPakoda]

OP is right. Bhuvi needs to go. India desperately needs to find two pace bowlers to support Bumrah.

 

[Bilal7]

IK till the end of 1986 when he played as a front line bowler - 64 ODIs with 80 wickets - 1.2 wickets per match. Clearly, IK was not picking many wickets in ODI playing as bowler.

It's not to say that Bhuv and IK are in the same class because IK was surely a better ODI bowler than Kumar. ODI is not just about picking wickets. It's about giving less runs + picking up wickets.

Once again, a laughable attempt at defending Bhuvneshwar. First of all, 80 wickets in 64 ODIs is much better than 96 wickets in 92 ODIs. Secondly, the ODI game was completely different in the 80s when batsmen were targeting a score of 250 and wickets were not as easy to come by.

Kumar is playing in 2018 when batsmen are taking more risks and lets not pretend that he is choking up the runs either. His economy is just a shade below 5. Imran, by comparison had an economy of around 3.8.

 

[Bilal7]

Mohammed Shami s international career is done and dusted. I can see the case for Khaleel though.

Why do you say that? Has he suffered a crippling injury or has he been charged with a crime?

 

[giri26]

I think Bhuvi has done well with the ball for India but does not pick up any wickets most of the times. India need to look for alternatives ahead of the World Cup. The West Indies series should be the one where we try out a few.

 

[Buffet]

Once again, a laughable attempt at defending Bhuvneshwar. First of all, 80 wickets in 64 ODIs is much better than 96 wickets in 92 ODIs. Secondly, the ODI game was completely different in the 80s when batsmen were targeting a score of 250 and wickets were not as easy to come by.

There is no point in defending Kumar. He is not a world beater. Your example was a flawed and I was only pointing out the flaws in that example.

Even in IK's era we had bowlers like Garner( 98 match with 146 wickets) or Holding ( 102 match with 142 wickets) or Hadlee ( 115 math with 158 wickets) .

As far as older era being much harder to pick wickets, 1980's we had 6.9 wickets in per match for each team and in 2010s you have 7.2 wickets per match for each team.



Difference is 0.3 wickets per match for each team. It's not significant point to mention to explain IK not picking wickets at higher rates. IK was simply not one the top dog in ODI format in his days and that's why his best career ranking is 4th in ODI. That doesn't mean that he was inferior to Kumar.

 

[KevinFern]

Bhuvi or Bhindi Kumar as se pakistan fans call him, just keeps on proving his detractors wrong time and again. His experience, calm mind and his handy batting makes him an envious package for short form cricket. And the team managements both international and franchise level know this very well.

 

[BreadPakoda]

Bhuvi or Bhindi Kumar as se pakistan fans call him, just keeps on proving his detractors wrong time and again. His experience, calm mind and his handy batting makes him an envious package for short form cricket. And the team managements both international and franchise level know this very well.

Average of 43 with the ball at a 5.5 economy in the last 3 years. Nothing envious about it. Sorry, doesn't deserve a spot in the Indian side.

 

[BreadPakoda]

He isn't an Afridi either who can afford a bowling average of 40+ because of his batting prowess. His SR of 68 with the bat is abysmal and in fact harmful for his position in the line up. All figures from last 3 years.

 

[WengerOut]

He isn't an Afridi either who can afford a bowling average of 40+ because of his batting prowess. His SR of 68 with the bat is abysmal and in fact harmful for his position in the line up. All figures from last 3 years.

He is there not by choice but by force. He is the only bowler (maybe Kuldeep as well) who can hold the bat. That is very relevant since we carry passengers as batsmen. Economy of 5.5 is very good for a bowler who bowls predominantly in the power plays and death overs. He is not perfect but India need him.

 

[austerlitz]

Mohammed siraj is the next big thing in indian fast bowling.Tall,quick,accurate and a deadly inswinger to the right hander .

 

[rhony]

Mohammed siraj is the next big thing in indian fast bowling.Tall,quick,accurate and a deadly inswinger to the right hander .

Is this the same guy that got smacked by everybody in Nidahas trophy?

 

[rhony]

Why do you say that? Has he suffered a crippling injury or has he been charged with a crime?

Shami and Umesh are spray guns in LOIs

 

[TM Riddle]

Is this the same guy that got smacked by everybody in Nidahas trophy?

Yeah the same Nidahas where Dinesh Kartik of all people reigned supreme.
He is primarily a longer format bowler. Only yesterday bowled excellent against the touring WI side on a batting friendly track.

 

[the_outsider]

Is this the same guy that got smacked by everybody in Nidahas trophy?

Yes. The same guy. And yes, he is the next big thing.

 

[Bangalorean]

Yes, his control does not matter much when batsmen are able to attack him on flatter pitches. I feel that he will be destroyed at the next World Cup if India do not drop him soon.

Something similar you predicted about Kohli being exposed in India test tour to ENG, that didn't turned out as you wished for

same will happen in Bhuvi one also !

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Why do you say that? Has he suffered a crippling injury or has he been charged with a crime?

He bowled worse than Ishant Sharma and Bumrah in England. Has awful fitness and his quite a bit older than his stated age. Siraj will , imo, replace as our 3rd quick.

 

[Bilal7]

Shami and Umesh are spray guns in LOIs

Shami has an average of 25.

He bowled worse than Ishant Sharma and Bumrah in England. Has awful fitness and his quite a bit older than his stated age. Siraj will , imo, replace as our 3rd quick.

How old do you think he is?

There is no point in defending Kumar. He is not a world beater. Your example was a flawed and I was only pointing out the flaws in that example.

Even in IK's era we had bowlers like Garner( 98 match with 146 wickets) or Holding ( 102 match with 142 wickets) or Hadlee ( 115 math with 158 wickets) .

As far as older era being much harder to pick wickets, 1980's we had 6.9 wickets in per match for each team and in 2010s you have 7.2 wickets per match for each team.



Difference is 0.3 wickets per match for each team. It's not significant point to mention to explain IK not picking wickets at higher rates. IK was simply not one the top dog in ODI format in his days and that's why his best career ranking is 4th in ODI. That doesn't mean that he was inferior to Kumar.

I fail to see what your point is. How does any of this have anything to do with Bhuvneshwar Kumar? If you want people to laugh at you for saying Imran was not a top ODI bowler then there are other threads where this could be discussed.

Why don't you spit some numbers out comparing the wicket-taking ability of Shami, Bumrah and Kumar? That would be more relevant to the discussion at hand.

 

[Hawkeye]

Used to be good with his swing.

Now bowls trash. Regressed as expected.

But... He can still be a force in swinging conditions with the new ball.

He reminds me of Kulasekara. His bowling I mean.

Now as poor as Junaid Khan!
[MENTION=129948]Bilal7[/MENTION]

 

[Nikhil_cric]

How old do you think he is?

No younger than 33.

 

[Bilal7]

Used to be good with his swing.

Now bowls trash. Regressed as expected.

But... He can still be a force in swinging conditions with the new ball.

He reminds me of Kulasekara. His bowling I mean.

Now as poor as Junaid Khan!
[MENTION=129948]Bilal7[/MENTION]

Junaid Khan: 104 wickets in 70 matches. Average of 27 and economy of 5.2.

Junaid has always been better than Kumar.

 

[GudduBadmash]

If Bhuvneshwar Kumar is regarded as a blunt spearhead I wonder what Mohammad Amir might be referred to.

 

[Bilal7]

If Bhuvneshwar Kumar is regarded as a blunt spearhead I wonder what Mohammad Amir might be referred to.

Amir: 58 wickets in 46 matches at an average of 31 and economy of 4.7, which is more economical than Kumar's.

And Amir has been dropped.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Amir: 58 wickets in 46 matches at an average of 31 and economy of 4.7, which is more economical than Kumar's.

And Amir has been dropped.

Aamir since his comeback averages more like 37.

 

[the_outsider]

Amir: 58 wickets in 46 matches at an average of 31 and economy of 4.7, which is more economical than Kumar's.

And Amir has been dropped.

Since his comback, Amir averages 36.66 in ODIs having taken only 33 wickets in 31 matches. Against the top 7 teams, the avg goes up to almost 39.

And Amir has been dropped from the test squad. Not the ODI squad.

 

[Bilal7]

Aamir since his comeback averages more like 37.

Since his comback, Amir averages 36.66 in ODIs having taken only 33 wickets in 31 matches. Against the top 7 teams, the avg goes up to almost 39.

And Amir has been dropped from the test squad. Not the ODI squad.

Yes, he has been poor which is why he has been dropped. We will know for sure soon enough but I don't see Amir playing Pakistan's next ODI series either.

 

[the_outsider]

Yes, he has been poor which is why he has been dropped. We will know for sure soon enough but I don't see Amir playing Pakistan's next ODI series either.

But he hasn't been dropped. Idk why you keep saying that. If he is not selected for the ODI series against NZ, then you can claim that he is dropped.

 

[rhony]

Junaid Khan: 104 wickets in 70 matches. Average of 27 and economy of 5.2.

Junaid has always been better than Kumar.

But Junaid can't hold the bat and is a mug in the field. Bhuvi is a package. Everybody saw his worth in the Asia cup final. He can keep it tight in the powerplays and at death and can pickup a wicket or two. He can field well and can bat a bit. There is NO better death bowler in India than BK except for Bumrah. As long as that's the case, Bhuvi will keep his place.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Yes, he has been poor which is why he has been dropped. We will know for sure soon enough but I don't see Amir playing Pakistan's next ODI series either.

Which is a good decision in my opinion. Aamir des not make the bowling attack n merit. Hasan actually bowled worse in Asia cup but he deserves a longer rope. Shaheen/Hasan/Junaid and Usman as back up is good enough currently.