Ahead of the T20I series against England Indian skipper Virat Kohli said that Bhuvneshwar Kumar will be the key to their plan in their T20 World Cup campaign which is scheduled in October. Senior pacer Bhuvi is making his return into the squad after a long break. He was sidelined from the squad because of injuries. He had last played for India back in December 2019.
“Bhuvneshwar is shaping up really well. He has come back, he is fit,” Kohli replied to ANU’s query during a virtual press conference.
“He has worked really well to get back to full fitness and look he is a smart operator, we have seen that in the past. He continues to bring that experience on to the field which is going to be vital for us. He has a clear understanding of what he wants to do going forward.”
“He wants to contribute towards many more Indian wins in the coming months. Obviously in the T20 World Cup, we would need our most experienced bowler and he is right up there with anyone else in the world – at the start, in the middle, and in the death as well.”
“He is a guy you can bank on and I am very glad to have him back. Hopefully, he can build strongly from here and be as ready as he is now for the World Cup,” he added.
️🗣️ "Very glad to have Bhuvi back."
Ahead of the @Paytm #INDvENG T20I series opener, #TeamIndia skipper @imVkohli speaks about @BhuviOfficial's return to the side 👍👍 pic.twitter.com/26DCpBbd90
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 11, 2021
When asked about his favourite side for the T20 World Cup, Kohli said: “I actually think England will be the team to beat in the T20 World Cup, they are the number one side in the world and the prime focus would be on them in this year’s World Cup.
“All the other teams will be wary of the strength they bring on to the park and they would be the favourites and that would not change regardless of how they think.”
Bhuvi has been the death bowling specialist with his ability to place the correct yorkers. He got added to the squad after clearing the fitness test.
