Batting great VVS Laxman has tipped Bhuvneshwar Kumar to play a key role in India's T20 World Cup campaign later this year and, thus, he has urged the team management to prioritize the pacer’s workload.
Bhuvneshwar is set to make a comeback during the T20I series against England after an extended injury lay-off.
The 31-year-old paceman had picked up a thigh muscle injury during the IPL 2020, which didn’t only rule him out of the T20 tournament but also from the Australia tour.
"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," he added.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s last T20I appearance was in December 2019 against the West Indies in Mumbai.
"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," Laxman said.
According to Laxman, Bhuvneshwar shouldn’t feature in all five games against England.
"I hope that he doesn't play all the five matches. I think he can be rested in between."
The T20I series gets underway in Ahmedabad on Friday (March 12).
(With PTI inputs)
