Bhuvmneshwar Kumar creates dot ball world record in T20Is. Image Credits: AFP
Bowling for the first time for India in the four years, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has broken a record previously held by former New Zealand speedster Tim Southee.
As India chose to bowl first in IND vs NZ 1st T20I at Hagley Oval, the comeback man Bhuvneshwar was given the first over of the evening. The swing king was brilliant with his accuracy and movement in the air, giving away just four runs in his opening over.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar breaks Tim Southee's record of most dots inside powerplay
As Bhuvneshwar Kumar started his spell with a four-run over, the 36-year-old speedster bowled as many as three dot deliveries.
With that, he broke Tim Southee's record for the most dot deliveries bowled inside the powerplay, among full member teams.
After three overs inside the powerplay at Christchurch, Bhuvneshwar's tally stands at 381 dots after 87 innings. Additionally, there are three Indian bowlers in the top seven bowlers, in the form of Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, and Bhuvneshwar.
Most dot balls in T20I powerplay (full member teams)
- 680 - Bhuvneshwar Kumar*
- 679 - Tim Southee
- 674 - Richard Ngarava
- 625 - Shaheen Afridi
- 614 - B Muzarabani
- 576 - Arshdeep Singh
- 569 - Jasprit Bumrah
Contrasting starts for Bhuvneshwar Kumar on India comeback
The return for Bhuvneshwar Kumar had contrasting starts, although the fifth T20I against West Indies was his official comeback match. The ongoing IND vs NZ fixture is where he is bowling for the first time in an India shirt in four years.
Bhuvi's first over went for just 4 runs, but he leaked plenty in the next over. Then, he started the second over with a no-ball, his first-ever in T20I cricket. Later, he gave away a couple of fours and a maximum in his 17-run over.
Arshdeep Singh was smacked for 17 more runs in the fourth over. However, India needed Mayank Yadav’s introduction inside the powerplay to get their maiden breakthrough of the tour.
New Zealand capped off the first six overs with 65 for the loss of one wicket on the board. Despite losing Tim Seifert, Finn Allen is still going strongly even after the end of the powerplay, with Daryl Mitchell the new man at the crease.
