Morne Morkel backs Bhuvneshwar Kumar before IND vs NZ 3rd T20I | PC- AFP
During the build-up to the T20I leg of India's tour to New Zealand, the comeback for Bhuvneshwar Kumar was among the biggest selling points. The 36-year-old pacer returned to the Indian fold after a long gap.
However, his return hasn't been fruitful. Bhuvneshwar has recorded his second and third expensive spells, returning with 0/49 and 1/50 in the first two matches. Ahead of the third T20I, Indian bowling coach Morne Morkel backed the comeback man despite his underwhelming return.
Morne Morkel backs Bhuvneshwar Kumar before IND vs NZ 3rd T20I
While talking about the comeback man Bhuvneshwar Kumar, India’s bowling coach, Morne Morkel, asked him to block out the expectations. The South African coach stated Bhuvi did well in the IPL, but international cricket is a different beast.
"Look, I've got a lot of sympathy for his return. The reason why I say that is, one, there will be expectations after four years to come out. He's done exceptionally well in the IPL. He's bowled really well. One is to block the expectation factor out,” Morne Morkel said in the press conference ahead of IND vs NZ 3rd T20I.
“Two, leading into his selection, I mean, there was a month of cricket where, yes, he trained, but this is a different beast coming and playing international cricket where the margins are small. So he had to come in with limited training because of the schedule to get himself ready."
Furthermore, the bowling coach asked the experienced pacer to find his feet back in international cricket, as he has the necessary skills and experience to still play at the highest level.
"So the skill and his experience, everything is there. But at the end of the day, we have to respect the game of cricket and you have to be able to allow him to just find his feet in some of the games. And for me, that has been the message from the start when he joined the squad, is to, you know, don't chase anything. Just be you. Yes, there will be expectations. But just every game you'll get better and every game you'll find your rhythm. So let's not think about any outside noises. Just be you and connect with that," Morne Morkel concluded.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar yet to replicate IPL success in IND vs NZ T20Is
In the last two IPL seasons, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been the league's best bowler, picking up 45 wickets in 30 innings at legendary rates and helping his team, RCB, win back-to-back titles.
The experienced speedster wasn’t directly asked to return after the IPL, but after the younger pacers couldn’t live up the expectations, the selectors had to recall Bhuvneshwar.
Although the 36-year-old is facing the heat of international cricket, his pace, accuracy and wicket-taking ability are all down. That said, he still has three more opportunities left on this tour.
India will next face New Zealand at Hnry Stadium, Wellington, on Tuesday in the third T20I.
.jpg?type=mq "Haris Rauf, Will Jacks fight at Lahore")
