Former Indian spinner and commentator Ravi Ashwin has reckoned that the veteran Indian seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s chapter with the Indian national team is closed after his poor returns with the ball in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand.
Bhuvneshwar returned to the national side after four years. However, he took just one wicket in four games and conceded 180 runs. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin asserted there was a massive difference between Bhuvneshwar’s IPL form and what he did in New Zealand.
“Bhuvi didn’t perform well and couldn’t prove his form. There was a massive difference between his IPL form and what he did in New Zealand. I think his chapter with India is closed. It’s very difficult to come back,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
Further, Ashwin expressed disappointment at Bhuvneshwar not showing intensity along with his run-up and bowling speeds in all four games he played against New Zealand, adding that the seamer didn’t come into the series in his prime form.
“Leave aside giving runs or the performances. What disappointed me was that the intensity he showed was on the lower side, along with his run-up and bowling speeds, which weren’t up to the mark. It tells us that Kumar may not have come into the series in his prime form,” he added.
Subsequently, Ashwin also reminded the selection committee that another veteran pacer, Mohammed Shami, is waiting on the sidelines for his comeback, adding that he is in a much better shape and rhythm than Bhuvneshwar.
“Right now I am thinking about the way Mohammed Shami is bowling in the Ranji Trophy. He seems to be in a much better shape and rhythm than Bhuvneshwar Kumar,” Ashwin concluded.
