Bhuvneshwar Kumar comes in same category as James Anderson and must for England Tests: Salman Butt

After India lost the high-profile WTC Final against New Zealand in Southampton, several fingers started pointing out flaws in the pace attack of the Indian setup. As India went ahead with a troika of Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ishant Sharma, they failed to fetch good for the team. While Shami tasted some success in the first innings, he mostly remained out of form in the 2^nd innings and Bumrah entirely had a wicketless outing.

In the same light, Pakistan’s former batter Salman Butt feels that India should step into the England series with ace swing bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar. It has to be noted that Kumar wasn’t the part of 20-man Test squad for the UK tour. In fact, he is currently in Sri Lanka, gearing up for the white ball series against the home team.

“I feel Bhuvneshwar Kumar should have been in India. After all, he is the best swing bowler India has. They didn’t even bring him along. The amount of swing and seam that was on offer on this pitch, he should have been there. The fast bowlers who played the final are all ‘hit the deck’ bowlers,” said Butt on Cricket Baaz with Waheed Khan.

I feel Bhuvneshwar Kumar should have been here, reckons Butt

As it was seen during the WTC Final, the English conditions are apt for assisting a swing bowler and Butt believes that Kumar from India is the current best in that department. Talking about his stats, Bhuvneshwar has picked 19 wickets and two fifers in England with an average of 26.63. In fact, Butt compared the pacer with England’s legendary pacer James Anderson.

“In terms of bowlers who release the bowlers and swing it, Bhuvneshwar… he comes in the same category as James Anderson. He is that kind of a bowler. So I thought he would have been better off but again, it’s their team. They know more about the players and think tanks. Perhaps they decided what was best for them. But I feel he should have been here and even now he should be a must for England Test,” concluded Butt.