IND vs WI: Why is Bhuvneshwar Kumar wearing jersey No. 78 & not his usual ‘15’?
(Courtesy : Twitter)
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has returned to the India team after 1245 days.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is set to be in action in the Indian jersey for the first time since 2022 against the West Indies. The Indian bowling icon played for the Men in Blue for almost a decade before being dropped from the national team in the last couple of months of 2022.
The 36-year-old’s last international game was a T20I fixture against New Zealand at McLean Park in Napier. In that game, the Black Caps scored 160 runs while batting first. Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj picked four wickets each, but Bhuvneshwar Kumar failed to open his count. However, the game ended in a draw with the DLS method.
Earlier this month, the 36-year-old got a call-up for the Indian national team ahead of the upcoming five-match T20I series in New Zealand. However, he got the opportunity to represent the Men in Blue even before. After Arshdeep Singh suffered a blow to his bowling shoulder during the last game, the BCCI added Bhuvneshwar Kumar to the roster as a last-minute replacement.
The match is being played at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, where Bhuvneshwar could be the Indian team’s top player, courtesy of his experience on the ground. He has played for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL over the last two seasons, picking up 45 wickets in 30 games.
However, as fans caught their first glimpse of the 36-year-old, they noticed something unusual. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was spotted wearing number 78 instead of 15, which he usually dons.
Why is Bhuvneshwar Kumar not wearing his usual ‘15’ jersey against West Indies?
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India pace bowling veteran Bhuvneshwar Kumar is not wearing his usual number 15 in the Men in Blue’s ongoing match against the West Indies because Gurnoor Brar has taken the number.
The 26-year-old took number 15 when he made his debut for the Indian national team earlier this year. Meanwhile, Bhuvneshwar is making his return to the India team after 1245 days.
Regarding the match, the start was delayed due to rain, and the match is currently being played in nine overs. The visitors won the toss and decided to bat first. The match is crucial for both sides, as they have won two games each in the series so far.
When did Bhuvneshwar Kumar play his last game for India?
In 2022 against New Zealand.
Is Bhuvneshwar playing in IND vs WI 5th T20I?
Yes.
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