Former Indian cricketer turned commentator Mohammad Kaif commented on Indian star bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar ahead of the New Zealand tour. The veteran pace bowler returned after four years and was picked in the T20I squad. Kaif made an honest confession after the pacer’s comeback, saying he never thought Bhuvneshwar would have such a long career when he first saw him.
“He was 17 when I saw him first. I never knew he would have such a long career. A lot of credit goes to him and his skill set. He never had the physique of a fast bowler. He does not look like one at all. Such a bowler has set such a great example. The biggest thing that I noticed in him was that he had the swing and seam as well. I am very happy to have been a small part of his career,” he said in a video on his YouTube channel.
“His comeback will set the example that you must never give up. Whenever people think of giving up, Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s name will be taken. This is not only a comeback but also sets a trend,” he further added.
Mohammad Kaif also applauded the selectors for bringing Bhuvneshwar Kumar back. He added that this was the most difficult decision and credited the selectors with showing their thinking as soon as chief selector Ajit Agarkar’s term ended.
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“I want to praise the selectors also here. I think this was the most difficult call. When Agarkar was there, maybe those who made this call were not at the top. As soon as Ajit went, they showed that their thinking is different, that they will reward performance and not go by age. A lot of credit goes to them. Saying that a player is aged when he is performing is a big scam. Saying you are looking at the future is a big scam. You do not know about the future. There is no bigger scam than this. No one knows what will happen tomorrow either. When you have an experienced and in-form player, you have to reward him. This was a big call,” he said.
“Where is it written that someone cannot play beyond a certain age? Tell me. I think the selectors have used common sense here, given the condition of the bowling attack. This is the right call at the right time. The ship of bowling is sinking, and this is an attempt to not let it sink. We always criticise selectors. Here they have to get their due,” he said.
“Rohit Sharma was also not in the scheme of things. But now, he is right? He is scoring runs, hitting hundreds. Who can remove him? He is 39. Bhuvi is still 36. So this talk of being in the scheme of things or not is a big racket. No one knows what will happen in four years. Let’s not talk right now about Bhuvi for the 2028 World Cup. He is back after four years. Let him play first. He will also be nervous. It will take some time, even though he is a great bowler,” Mohammad Kaif concluded.
