Test cricket remains my priority, will monitor workload in IPL: Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the Indian fast bowler, said that Test cricket remains his priority. The 31-year-old speedster hasn’t played in the format since the tour of South Africa back in 2018. In fact, since his debut in 2013, he has played only 21 Tests where he has picked up 63 wickets with three four-wicket hauls and four five-wicket hauls.

In Test cricket, over the last couple of years or so, Bhuvneshwar hasn’t been picked as India have mostly preferred the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, and Umesh Yadav in the fast-bowling department. Despite not playing in the longest format for three years, Kumar sounded confident about making a comeback.

I will do everything to get ready for the Test series: Bhuvneshwar Kumar

“Of course, red-ball cricket is on my radar. I will prepare keeping red ball in mind. Although what kind of team will be selected for Test matches is an entirely different scenario,” Bhuvneshwar was quoted as saying in Outlook.

“My workload management and training during IPL will be keeping red ball in mind because I know there’s a lot of Tests ahead and my priority still is Test cricket. So from my end, I will do everything to get ready for the Test series,” he stated.

The Meerut-born, recently, played in the ODI and T20I series against England and picked up 10 wickets from eight matches. In the IPL, Bhuvneshwar will be playing for the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).

“I have stopped making long-term plans as in the past when I have done that, things haven’t gone in my favour. Be it because of injury or form.

“But yes, workload management is something I will be seriously monitoring along with team management. So yes, since I was unfit for a long time, I had to ensure that I put a lot of emphasis on being fit,” he added.

On Sunday, India beat England by seven runs at the MCA Stadium in Pune to clinch the ODI series 2-1. In the final game, Bhuvneshwar bowled brilliantly as he picked up the crucial wickets of Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, and Moeen Ali, and gave away only 42 runs in his 10 overs.