CWC 2019: Injured Bhuvneshwar Kumar ruled out of India's next 2-3 games

Bhuvi could only bowl 2.4 overs before going off the field in India's 89-run win versus Pakistan on Sunday.

Bhuvneshwar picked up a hamstring niggle | Getty

Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar on Sunday (June 16) got ruled out of at least next two-three World Cup 2019 games after suffering a hamstring niggle while bowling against Pakistan in Manchester. 

Bhuvi limped off the field after delivering just 2.4 overs of his quota and didn't come back to take part in his team's 89-run victory via DLS over the arch-rivals.

After the game, skipper Virat Kohli confirmed the seriousness of veteran quick's injury and said he'll be replaced by Mohammad Shami for the upcoming few matches, including next one versus Afghanistan on Saturday (June 22) at Southampton. 

"Slight niggle for Bhuvi, he slipped on one of the footmarks. He's out for two, maybe three games, but he should come back for us at some stage during this tournament. He is very important for us," said Kohli at the post-match presentation ceremony. "Shami was raring to go".

This, on Bhuvi, is India's second major injury concern after opener Shikhar Dhawan hurt his thumb while batting against Australia last Sunday. He also won't be taking any part in the next two-three World Cup games. 

Following a bout with Afghans, India takes on West Indies (June 27),  England (June 30), Bangladesh (July 2) and Sri Lanka (July 6) before the culmination of the league phase. The team has had three wins and a rain-abandoned draw in its first four games. 

Virat also praised "Player-of-the-Match" Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul for superb knocks of 140 and 57 allowing India to post 336/5 earlier in the day. Virat himself struck a very fine 65-ball 77 batting at No.3. 

"Rohit's knock was outstanding again. KL helped Rohit, who showed why he's such a good ODI player again today. It was a team effort to get to 336."

In the run-chase, wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav (2/32), Hardik Pandya (2/44) and Vijay Shankar (2/22) bowled well and helped India eventually restrict Pakistan to only 212/6 after the game was reduced to 40 overs per side following another rain delay.  

"Kuldeep Yadav was brilliant. Babar and Fakhar were trying to play him out, but I wanted him to have a longer spell. The ball to dismiss Babar was an outstanding delivery. I think today was the best he bowled at this World Cup," Virat said. 

On being asked whether this was yet another India-Pakistan game that failed to live up to the expectations, Virat said his team never played keeping the hype around the rivalry in mind. 

"I think they outplayed us in the Champions Trophy final (in 2017) but if you focus on this game as too emotional, things can go wrong. We never approach them from that perspective. We are professional about it and the result is what matters," he concluded. 

(Inputs from PTI)

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 17 Jun, 2019

    Share Via