Former South African speedster Dale Steyn has closely watched the game of Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has been a member of the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the IPL as both a player and a bowling coach.

He was part of SRH’s coaching staff in the recent IPL 2022.

Well, Bhuvneshwar had an average outing in IPL 2022, taking only 12 wickets in 14 matches for the SRH. But he managed to impress one and all, including bowling coach Steyn, with his performance in the second T20I against South Africa on Sunday (June 12) in Cuttack.

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The experienced seamer scalped four wickets while conceding only 13 runs in his quota of four overs during Team India’s four-wicket loss to South Africa in the second T20I on Sunday.

Reacting to his performance, Steyn revealed an interesting discussion with the Indian bowler during IPL 15 that convinced him that he could still contribute much to his team’s success, as many were writing him off, given his struggle to take wickets for a long time.

Dale Steyn told ESPNCricinfo: “I worked with him during the IPL. I asked him 'Have you got any goals this IPL?', and he secretly said to me, 'Yeah, I would like to win the Purple Cap again'. And I was like… this is fantastic. Just shows you that this guy is determined and he wants to play and prove something.”

He added, “Not just to India but to the world that he is very much a force to reckon with. And I think that extends to what could potentially go and happen for him later this year. He could really get a nod to go to the World Cup. He understands his game, knows when to train, knows his skills and he has got these little goals which he didn't need to tell anybody.”