Why is Bhuvneshwar Kumar not playing 4th NZ vs IND T20I?
(Courtesy : Getty Images)
Bhuvneshwar Kumar played first three NZ vs IND T20Is.
The Indian Cricket Team are clashing with the New Zealand Cricket Team in the fourth T20I of the series. The game is being played at the Eden Park, Auckland on Friday, October 30. The Men in Blue surprised many when they announced their XI for the penultimate game of the series.
India surprsingly left out Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who made his comeback in the series after four long years. With him being experienced, he was expected to feature in all five games of the series. The exact reason behind his snub his not known, but it can be assumed that he has been dropped due to form.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar looked completely out of sorts in the the first three NZ vs IND T20Is. The veteran pacer was taken to cleaners in all three games, and managed just one wicket. For the fourth T20I, he was replaced by Mayank Yadav.
Speaking at toss, captain Shreyas Iyer said:
See, it’s important to be ruthless irrespective of whatever the result has been so far. And the boys have been given the same message. You got to be unruffled irrespective of what the occasion is. And I feel everyone is in high spirits. [On today’s pitch] You never know. There is decent amount of grass, so definitely expecting bounce and seam movement as well. [Changes?] Yeah, we’ve got two changes. Ishan comes back in for Vaibhav and Mayank comes in for Bhuvi.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar struggled on his India comeback
Catch Every Update, Anytime, Anywhere
Bhuvneshwar Kumar returned with figures 0/49 in the first T20I and then registered 1/50 in the second T20. The third match of the series also didn’t go in his favour as he gave away 40 runs without taking a wicket.
His return hasn’t been the one he would have hoped for. With him now getting dropped for the fourth T20I, this could well be an indication that India have decided to move on from him.
Coming to the series, India have already registered three wins in the first three games, and now would be hoping for a whitewash. In place of Kumar, Mayank Yadav got the opportunity, and he didn’t take time to make an impact.
Yadav picked up a wicket in the opening over of the match to take India off to a flying start, something which they missed in the last three games with the ball. He would be hoping to carry forward the momentum and help his team win.
Who is leading NZ vs IND T20I series?
India are 3-0 ahead in the series.
For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.