We need swing bowlers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar in England: Yuvraj Singh

Former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh has opined that the Indian team needs a swing bowler on their tour of England. India is all set to play five Tests against England and the first match will begin on August 4 in Nottingham. According to the ex-cricketer, Bhuvneshwar Kumar could have been an ideal pick for this tour. 

The Uttar Pradesh pacer had a successful tour to England in 2014. He missed the 2018 tour due to an injury and incidentally has not played a Test match since early 2018. The pacer has had his share of injuries which has prevented the selectors from utilizing him in the longest format, given how important he is to their white-ball plans. 

While speaking on the Indian contingent which has been sent for the five Test matches in England, Yuvraj noted that all the other bowlers in the squad are fast-bowlers. However, he expressed that in England it is important to have a swing bowler because the duke’s ball generally gives a lot to the swing bowlers. 

India needs someone experienced there (in England) like Bhuvi: Yuvraj Singh

“We have all the match winners. The conditions are really difficult in England. I feel that India needs a swing bowler because with the Duke’s ball you should know how to swing it. You have got fast bowlers – Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma. We need someone like Bhuvneshwar Kumar,” Yuvraj said while speaking to Times of India.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar was recently seen in action in the Sri Lankan tour. He did well during the white-ball tour, but there have been many talks about his absence from the Test squad. Despite losing a bowler like Avesh Khan and a solid all-rounder like Washington Sundar, Indian selectors decided against sending Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Instead, for Shubman Gill’s injury, the team called for Prithvi Shaw and Suryakumar Yadav. 

Yuvraj stressed that Bhuvneshwar’s experience could have been crucial. “He (Bhuvneshwar) is the guy who swings the ball. Bhuvi is an experienced bowler. And if he is fit, he should definitely be part of the squad and given an opportunity. India needs someone experienced there (in England) like Bhuvi,” Yuvraj said.

Apart from Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Ishant Sharma, India have Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, and Shardul Thakur on the tour and all the six pacers could be used at some or the other time in this long Test series.