Bhuvneshwar Kumar turns 31: A look at his major feats
Despite his injury issues, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is always looked upon as a dependable fast bowler across formats. He is one of the few bowlers in international cricket who has the propensity to swing the ball both ways. His skills have helped Team India claim some remarkable wins in international cricket. As he turns 31 today, we take a look at his major records.
Bhuvneshwar in international cricket
In 114 ODIs, Bhuvi has taken a total of 132 wickets. He has a stunning economy-rate of 5.02 with a best of 5/42. The right-arm pacer also owns 41 scalps in 43 T20Is. In 21 Test matches for India, Bhuvneshwar has taken 63 wickets at 26.09. He is also a handy batsman in Tests with 552 runs, including three fifties.
First Indian bowler with five-for across formats
In 2018, Bhuvneshwar became the first Indian bowler to take a five-wicket haul in all formats of the game. He took his maiden five-wicket haul in the 2014 Nottingham Test (5/82). His only five-for in the ODIs came against Sri Lanka in 2017 (5/42). A few months later, Bhuvneshwar managed to do so in the T20Is as well (5/24 in South Africa).
Bhuvi's batting heroics on his Test debut
In 2013, Bhuvi set the record of the highest knock registered by a number 10 Indian batsman on Test debut, when he slammed 38 against Australia. He was also involved in a record partnership of 140 runs for the ninth wicket with MS Dhoni.
India's prized possession on the England tour
Bhuvneshwar emerged as India's most valuable player on the 2014 England tour. He slammed two half-centuries (58 and 63*) in the first Test and followed them up with his maiden five-wicket haul. In the historic Lord's Test that India won, he claimed his career-best figures (6/82), including another fifty (52). Although India lost the series 1-3, he was named the Player of the Series.
Seventh-highest wicket-taker in the IPL
Bhuvi has been one of the leading bowlers in the Indian Premier League. He has an impressive 136 scalps from 121 matches. The Sunrisers Hyderabad pace spearhead has won the Purple Cap twice in his career (2016 and 2017). He helped Sunrisers Hyderabad win the IPL 2016 title. Notably, he is the leading wicket-taker among SRH bowlers and seventh-highest overall.
