Follow UsLavishing praise on Bhuvneshwar Kumar, former India head coach Ravi Shastri says that the fast bowler becomes an automatic selection in the Indian team if fit.
Bhuvneshwar showed his class against Mumbai Indian (MI) on Tuesday (May 17) night when he bowled a wicket-maiden in the 19th over to help his side escape with a three-run win.
"I'm not surprised at all. Every time I meet Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar Kumar), I have an argument with him," Shastri said in an interview with ESPNCricinfo.
"I say, because, if he can only focus and work harder on his fitness… his experience, his ability in all formats of the game is remarkable. Every time we toured England or New Zealand, the guy is unfit."
"I said, 'you lost yourself 50 red ball wickets in the last couple of years'. But if he stays fit, he becomes an automatic choice in the Indian team, forget Sunrisers."
Since making his debut for India in 2012, Bhuvneshwar has gone on to play over 200 matches for India and has picked up 262 international wickets so far. He last represented his country during the limited-overs tour of South Africa earlier this year.
As far as IPL 2022 is concerned, Kane Williamson-led SRH are out of contention for a place in the playoffs, having picked up 12 points from 13 matches. Bhuvneshwar has picked up 12 wickets at an economy rate of 7.19