Even former India cricketer Dinesh Karthik , who had recently said that the selectors have moved on from Mohammed Shami — another pacer in the same boat as Bhuvneshwar — didn’t expect to see such a U-turn. Veteran Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar ‘s return for the T20I series against New Zealand is set to instil faith in the hearts of all those senior players who are sitting out of the national team but have not given up on the hopes of a return. As the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection committee, under Pragyan Ojha , gave Bhuvneshwar a recall, the decision left many in the cricketing spectrum surprised.
Dinesh Karthik, who worked with Bhuvneshwar Kumar at RCB, is thrilled to see the veteran seamer make a comeback to the Indian national team.
But if you actually look purely on skill, Bhuvi has been exceptional,” he said, explaining what might have led to Bhuvneshwar’s recall. He can bowl with a new ball, swing it both ways, and then at the death, he can handle pressure,” Karthik said. “I am so, so happy, and it couldn’t happen to a nicer man,” he said. Now this news is even better,” Karthik said.
“It’s taken four years to pick him back in that Indian team. Having worked with Bhuvneshwar in the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Karthik knows well about the skill set the crafty seamer brings to the team. “The quality that he brings is brilliant. Bhuvneshwar was also made the captain of the Indian team for the upcoming Hong Kong Sixes tournament. “When I saw you in the Hong Kong Sixes, I thought, ‘Okay, captain of the Indian team, fantastic.
“Team India in the last year, they have tried all pacers. Firstly, well done, selectors, to have the courage to pick someone,” Karthik was quoted as saying by India Today .
