Pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar is eyeing a comeback to the Indian side for the home Test series against England next month. He wasn't available for the Australia tour after suffering a thigh muscle injury during the Indian Premier League.
Bhuvneshwar played the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy for Uttar Pradesh before their campaign came to an end. He is focused on the upcoming series after recovering from the injury and completing his rehab at National Cricket Academy.
“I am raring to go against England. I am fit after recovering from injury,” Kumar said on Monday. “I did my rehab well at the National Cricket Academy and am playing in Mushtaq Ali Trophy to prove my match fitness.”
India will host England for four Tests, five T20Is, and three ODIs. Their tour of Australia ends on January 19 in Brisbane.
A lot of cricket is waiting for Bhuvneshwar with IPL and Sri Lanka tour lined up in summer. “Before IPL, my mission is to do well against England and I am looking forward to the opportunity,” he said. “There are plenty of opportunities this year, but I am taking it one by one.”
In the ongoing domestic T20 league, Bhuvneshwar's bowling figures are 0/22 vs Karnataka, 0/22 vs Jammu & Kashmir, 1/21 vs Railways, and 3/22 vs Punjab.
“Bhuvi’s experience would be handy for India at home against England as his ability to swing the ball is tremendous. His 63 wickets in 21 Tests and the ability to bat in the lower order are unique and he deserves opportunities,” says UP chief coach Gyanendra Pandey.
“I was surprised to see Bhuvi bowling perfect swing, that too with good speed, in the nets when he joined us at Bengaluru early this month,” he added.
Bhuvneshwar has struggled with injuries in the last few years. He missed out few IPL 2018 and World Cup 2019 matches because of injury concerns. The 30-year-old also had to be ruled out against South Africa and Bangladesh in the 2019-20 season with a side strain.
