Birthday special: Bhuvneshwar Kumar – Top 3 spells in international cricket
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been one of the most potent bowlers for India ever since his debut in 2012. However, the 33-year-old has been unlucky with injuries derailing his progress, especially in the longest format of the game. Injuries aside, the pacer still remains a vital cog in India’s white-ball bowling department. On the occasion of his 34th birthday, we list some of his most memorable performances with the ball for India.
5/42 against Sri Lanka, 2017
Sri Lanka decided to bat first in the fifth and final ODI of the series against India in hopes of avoiding a whitewash at home. But their hopes were short-lived as explosive opener Niroshan Dickwella fell cheaply to Bhuvneshwar. He sent back Dilshan Munaweera next and went on to scalp four of the top six Sri Lankan batters. He fittingly scalped the last wicket of the Sri Lankan innings to grab his maiden five-for in the 50-over format.
6/82 against England, 2014
After sharing the spoils in the Test series opener against host England, India travelled to the iconic Lord’s to take on the home side in the second Test. The visitors batted first in the contest and Ajinkya Rahane’s century got them to 295 runs. The home side got off to a stumbling start in their response and were on the receiving end of a swing bowling masterclass from Bhuvneshwar. He returned with brilliant bowling figures of 6/82 to restrict the hosts to 319 runs.
5/4 against Afghnasitan, 2022
Although India endured an underwhelming Asia Cup 2022, Bhuvneshwar was one of their star performers in the continental tournament. Playing their final league game, India took on Afghanistan and posted a mammoth 212 runs, thanks to Virat Kohli. The Afghani batters needed to play out of their skins to get anywhere near that target, but their chase was almost done inside the powerplay, thanks to a menacing bowling spell by Bhuvneshwar, who registered the best figures by an Indian bowler in the format, returning with 5/4 in his four overs, including a wicket-maiden.
