• Home
  • Cricket News
  • Brad Hogg Backs Bhuvneshwar Kumar Despite Death Bowling Struggles

Brad Hogg backs Bhuvneshwar Kumar despite death-bowling struggles

image-l8er2gvp Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been under scrutiny for his death bowling | PC: Twitter

Former Australian cricketer Brad Hogg backed Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar to return to form in the upcoming T20I World Cup 2022, set to be played in Australia next month. 

In the series opener against Australia at Mohali, the fast bowler went on to concede 52 runs off his four overs as the visitors completed their highest-ever successful run chase in T20Is against the Men in Blue. 

Following three back-to-back disappointing performances in death overs, many feel that the pacer is past his prime now and shouldn't be given more opportunities. However, the former Australia spinner backed him to come back stronger in the upcoming showpiece event.

Speaking in a video shared on Instagram, as quoted by the Hindustan Times, Brad Hogg said that Bhuvneshwar Kumar will perform better once India's frontline pacer Jasprit Bumrah returns to the playing XI. 

Here's what Hogg had to say about Bhuvneshwar Kumar: 

"Indian fans are worried about Bhuvneshwar Kumar's bowling in the death overs. As an overseas fan, I am happy because it plays in Australia's favor."

"But Indian fans, don't worry because he hasn't had Bumrah at the other end to apply that pressure. In the World Cup, he will, so that's where the batters will feel they need to go hard at Bhuvneshwar. That's where his wicket-taking ability comes in."

Bhuvneshwar Kumar's experience will help India: Brad Hogg

The veteran spinner further said that Bhuvneshwar Kumar's death bowling experience will help the team in the T20I World Cup 2022, especially at Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia, which offers big boundaries.

"He has bowled more balls in the 19th over than anyone else in the past one and a half years. So, he has a wealth of experience with him. The Indian management is backing him. So don't worry, he will do the job in Australia, especially playing at the bigger boundaries of the MCG at the Optus Stadium."

As for the marquee event, Jasprit Bumrah will lead the pace attack of India with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, and Arshdeep Singh being the other three fast-bowling options.

Arshdeep Singh, having impressed with his death over bowling in the Asia Cup 2022 seems a certainty along with Bumrah and it will be intriguing to see who among Harshal and Bhuvneshwar Kumar will get the nod from the team management for the T20I World Cup 2022.    

ALSO READ: Aaron Finch becomes the first to score 2000 T20I runs as captain