“Don’t write assumptions based on sources”: Bhuvneshwar Kumar confirms all-format availability for India

Bhuvneshwar Kumar: Multiple reports emerged after the Indian pacer was left out of the 20-member squad for the tour of England.

India pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been the centre of attraction in various reports in the media since the time the selection committee announced a 20-member squad for the tour of England comprising of the final match of the ICC World Test Championship and a five-match Test series against England.

Bhuvneshwar, 31, is completely fit after suffering multiple injuries in the last few years which have hampered his involvement with respect to playing at the highest level.

While Bhuvneshwar had played white-ball cricket for India as recent as earlier this year, his last Test appearance had come during the tour of South Africa in 2018. Bhuvneshwar, who had won the Player of the Match award in his last Test in Johannesburg, hasn’t played in the format since then even at the domestic level.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar confirms all-format availability

In the absence of a press conference, speculations were rife in the Indian media that Bhuvneshwar has expressed a disinterest in playing the longest format. As a result, he wasn’t named for the tour of England. Instead, is almost certain to lead the bowling attack on the Sri Lanka tour.

Clearing the air regarding his availability for Test cricket, Bhuvneshwar eventually took to social media platform Twitter to make a point that he still yearns to represent India across formats.

“There have been articles about me not wanting to play Test cricket. Just to clarify, I have always prepared myself for all three formats irrespective of the team selection and will continue to do the same. Suggestion – please don’t write your assumptions based on “sources”!,” read Bhuvneshwar’s tweet.

In 21 Tests till date, Bhuvneshwar has picked 63 wickets at an average and strike rate of 26.09 and 53.10 respectively. As far as playing in England is concerned, Bhuvneshwar had shared Man of the Series award with England’s James Anderson on the back of picking 19 wickets in five Test at an average and strike rate of 26.63 and 54.5 respectively.

Having scored 247 runs inclusive of three half-centuries, Bhuvneshwar had outscored the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli back in the day. A probable reason behind the selectors not including Bhuvneshwar despite his impressive numbers could be his lack of match practice in first-class cricket.