Premier Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been facing some severe issues in his back as he was rested from the ongoing Test series against England as well. He played India’s T20I series against Ireland and England respectively but missed the first two matches of the three-match ODI series owing to a stiff back. He came back to play the third and deciding ODI at Leeds in Headingley, but that aggravated his injury further.
Since that ODI, Bhuvneshwar was left out of India’s 18-man squad for the first three matches at Edgbaston, Lord’s and Trent Bridge. After undergoing Tests in England, he went to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and was accompanied by a medical team of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in order to monitor his rehabilitation.
ALSO READ: Bhuvneshwar Kumar returns in cricket for India A
It was assumed that the Kumar would recover within four weeks but wasn’t able to attain complete match fitness to qualify for the last two Tests. To his relief, he has been declared fit and he will be playing for India ‘A’ in their third-place match of the quadrangular series against South Africa ‘A’ at Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) Cricket Ground in Alur.
India ‘B’ and Australia ‘A’ will also play the final of the tournament tomorrow at M Chinnaswamy in Bangalore. In the meantime, the Uttar Pradesh-born seamer wasn’t included in the Indian squad for their last two matches against England at The Rose Bowl and Kennington Oval. The management made three changes from the previous squad and Bhuvneshwar, unfortunately, didn’t find a place.
Prithvi Shaw, Hanuma Vihari, and Jasprit Bumrah were roped in. The fourth Test match will take place from August 30 to September 3 in Southampton. Meanwhile, Twitter was outraged for the reason that Bhuvneshwar wasn’t included in the national squad.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
@cricbuzz @bhogleharsha why bhuvneshwar not in India squad and India A squad??
— Chandrakant K (@thecommonman_k) August 28, 2018
If Bhuvneshwar Kumar was fit to play, Why didn't BCCI pick him in the Test squad?#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/w59b8ON3pJ
— Hit wicket (@KetanPatil77) August 28, 2018
Why don't you send him to England? Get Ashwin back and send Bhuvneshwar
— Ram Lakhan (@thapliyalg) August 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/cricbolly_lover/status/1034057831320838150
https://twitter.com/ManuTri29320215/status/1034058000414138368
29 ko INd A match khelne ko fit hai … Par 30 se start hone vala TEST ke liye nahi
— Prezz (@rus_vala) August 28, 2018
Add him in England series…
— Aviral Srivastava (@aviral121999) August 27, 2018
He could have played for INDIA 😞😞
— RISHAB MEHTA (@RISHABHMEHTA_04) August 27, 2018
If he s fit, y can't he be playing ongoing Eng series 🤔🤔 As he done very well last time around and we are well known of his capability @ICC #ENGvIND
— Bharath (@iam_Bharath_R) August 27, 2018
Great that he's fit but Why he's playing domestic then why not International last 2 tests against England????? @BCCI answer this…
— Adwait Borkar (@BorkarAdwait) August 27, 2018
If he is fit, he should be sent to England immediately
It's our most important away tour and he is a perfect bowler for English conditions
He doesn't need India A games to get into rhythm
He is good enough to adapt just like Bumrah
I hope he gets selected for the 5th test— Krishna (@krisbangalore95) August 28, 2018
@BCCI If he is fit and can feature in domestic, cannot he play directly in England ? Team has missed him enormously.
— Anand Deep (@anandSpeaking) August 27, 2018
