Team India for World Cup: Sunrisers stars Bhuvneshwar, Vijay raring to go

Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Vijay Shankar, who represent Indian Premier League franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad, express joy in making it into the Indian team for the 2019 World Cup.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar is starting to find his rhythm after a difficult start with the ball to IPL 2019.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) duo, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Vijay Shankar, expressed their delight in being named in India's 15-man squad for the 2019 World Cup, which begins in England on May 30.

While Vijay Shankar was one of the few surprise inclusions in the squad, Bhuvneshwar, who has become physically sturdier and added a couple of yards of pace to his bowling since the 2015 World Cup, was a more automatic pick.

A delighted Bhuvneshwar, who took two for 33 for Sunrisers in its 36-run defeat to Delhi Capitals on Sunday, said, "I am extremely happy to be selected for the World Cup. This is my second World Cup and now I am pretty confident to perform at such level."

Read: Rise and rise of Vijay Shankar

Bhuvneshwar feels the English conditions will be conducive to his strength, which is swinging the ball. "The conducive English conditions will suit my strength and I am looking to make the most of it. Playing for SRH in the IPL has given me the right match practice just before the mega tournament like World Cup."

VVS Laxman, Team Mentor, Sunrisers Hyderabad "The Indian team is a very balanced side and is one of the strong contenders for the title. I have closely monitored Bhuvi and Vijay in the nets while they were on SRH duties. They look in great shape and are raring to perform on a stage like World Cup. I can see these players contributing in team’s success in a major way."

 

Dream come true

Shankar, who beat Ambati Rayudu to a spot in India's World Cup squad having made his One-Day International debut just three months ago, said it was a "dream come true".

"I am extremely elated to be in the Indian World Cup team. This is like a dream come true," Shankar said, before adding, "We have a few World cup-winning team members here at SRH and I have spoken to them to understand what it feels like to play in a World Cup and then go on to win it."

Shankar is also learning to handle pressure from his experienced team-mates in the Sunrisers squad. "I have learnt a lot from them on the ways to manage pressure at such a large scale event."