Bhuvneshwar Kumar went for 52 runs in his 4 overs including 16 runs in crucial 19th over.
Former Indian Captain Sunil Gavaskar has shown concerns for India's death bowling after India lost the first T20 match of the three-T20I series against Australia in Mohali despite putting a huge score of 208/6 batting first.
Sunil Gavaskar was particularly worried about how veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowled in the death overs. Kumar, who picked a fifer against Afghanistan in the last T20I he played, went for 52 runs in his 4 overs, including giving away 16 runs in the 19th over he bowled, and got hit for 3 fours in the last balls.
Even in Asia Cup 2022, Bhuvneshwar had bowled expensive overs in death. He gave away 19 runs in the 19th over of the Super Four match against Pakistan which India lost by 5 wickets. And then against Sri Lanka, he gave away 14 runs in the 19th over, which helped the eventual Asia Cup champions to defeat India and eliminate them from race to final.
“We didn’t actually bowl as well. It’s a real concern. Somebody like Bhuvneshwar Kumar is going for runs every single time when he is expected.. in 18 deliveries he has bowled in three matches against Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and now Australia, and he has given away 49 runs.
It is almost three runs per ball. Somebody with his experience and caliber, you expect he will give 35-36 runs in those 18 deliveries. That really is an area of concern,” Gavaskar said on India Today.
Harshal had given away 22 runs in the 18th over and registered match figures of 0/49. However, he was defended by Gavaskar saying it was his first match after a lengthy injury break.
“Harshal is generally a very meaty bowler. But let’s not forget he is coming back after a long break. That’s why it’s so important for the bowlers to have plenty of overs under their belt before they get to the World Cup. That’s the reason, India can maybe play Bumrah and Harshal even in a couple of the ODIs just to get miles in their legs. And to get their rhythm going. That’s something that the Indian management will have to look at,” he added.
India and Australia will next play in Nagpur on Friday.
(India Today Inputs)