Veteran India pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has revealed the reason behind choosing jersey No. 78 after his comeback to the national side. He will return to action later today (Saturday, October 24) in the second T20I against New Zealand in Christchurch as well. Ahead of the game, in a video shared by the BCCI, he shared that he previously wore jersey No. 15 because he wanted the digits to add up to six. Upon his return, he tried many numbers before finally choosing No. 78,
which also adds up to six as well.

“There was a logic behind choosing the jersey number. The digits added up to six because one plus five is six (his last jersey number). We tried quite a few numbers, but most of them were already taken by other players, so this was the only number left. I think that’s why I chose it (new jersey, 78). I was used to seeing the number 15 alongside my name as B. Kumar, so it didn’t immediately feel like my jersey. It took me a while to get used to the fact that this was my jersey and that I was going to wear it,” he said.

However, Bhuvneshwar Kumar also shared that he is in a headspace where he has no expectations of himself and focuses only on the present.

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“The headspace I’m in right now is quite simple. I have no expectations of myself. I think that’s how things have worked out for me over the last three to four years. I have no expectations; I just keep doing my work. We often talk about living in the present and not thinking too far ahead. That’s the headspace I’m in right now, and it’s something I’ve developed over the last three to four years. I know I haven’t played for the country during this period, but the things I’ve done and the maturity I’ve developed as a person have taught me to live in the present,” he stated.

“The last two IPL seasons were such that I went in with zero expectations. I had zero expectations of myself as well. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t prepare. I prepared thoroughly and did everything necessary, from working on my fitness and skills to focusing on the mental aspect of the game. So, yes, I had zero expectations of what I would achieve. Of course, I wanted to contribute to the team, but I never imagined the IPL would turn out this way or that I would win two titles in two years. I think the key for me was having zero expectations while being fully prepared. For four years, I never chased the Indian jersey, so I didn’t even realise how those four years went by. I think the IPL has played a very big role in that,” Bhuvneshwar Kumar concluded.