Prior to the India vs England T20I series, Former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman said that pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar would be an asset for India in the upcoming T20 World Cup. Hence, his workload should be thoroughly looked after.
After sustaining injury during World Cup 2019, Kumar was out of the site for a long time. He made his comeback to the T20 squad after a long break. He suffered a thigh injury during Indian Premier League 2020 that took place in the UAE from September to November window.
“I still feel great and happy that Bhuvneshwar has regained fitness because he’s such an important bowler, especially in white-ball cricket for India,” Laxman said on Star Sports’ ‘Cricket Connected’.
“Apart from Jasprit Bumrah, if there’s anyone in that Indian bowling line-up who has got the experience of bowling not only with the new ball but also at the death.
“He is such an important member, we have to look after Bhuvneshwar Kumar the fast bowler because he will be playing a very important role, come November when the World Cup will happen,” Laxman added.
The Uttar Pradesh based swing bowler last played T20 in December 2019. Laxman felt that Bhuvi should not play more than two games in the five-match series.
“For him to be 100 per cent fit, I think a lot of priority and prominence has to be given to manage the workload and the injury of Bhuvneshwar Kumar.”
“I hope that he doesn’t play all the five matches. I think he can be rested in between.”
When asked about batting, Laxman put keeper-batsman KL Rahul over Shikhar Dhawan alongside Rohit Sharma.
“It will be a tough question, as far as the selection of the second opener is concerned. There’s no doubt about that because Rohit Sharma is an automatic choice in white-ball cricket.
“I will still go with KL Rahul because over the last few months and years, I think the Indian team management went with KL Rahul as an opening batsman and he has done really well in that position
“You have someone as experienced as Shikhar Dhawan, who can be the backup opener in case one of these openers Rohit Sharma/KL Rahul gets injured or lose their form,” he added.
Despite having a good domestic season, Dhawan is expected to be a reserved player in the series.
