Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar on Wednesday picked pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar over fellow speedster Mohammed Shami, who took a sensational last over hat-trick against Afghanistan, when an unbeaten India takes on West Indies in the World Cup game in Manchester on Thursday.
The Master Blaster picked ‘Bhuvi’, as the pacer is commonly known, for his sheer ability to trouble swashbuckling West Indies batsman Chris Gayle.
“It’s a great news for India that Bhuvneshwar Kumar is fit. I have seen his body language which showed that he is really confident,” Tendulkar told Star Sports .
Bhuvneshwar (29) had sustained an injury against Pakistan and missed the game against Afghanistan, which India won by 11 runs on June 22.
READ| Bhuvneshwar Kumar resumes bowling at nets
Shami (29), who was drafted in the team in place of Kumar, took a hat-trick in the 50th over of Afghanistan’s innings, becoming just the second Indian, after pacer Chetan Sharma, to achieve the feat in a World Cup match.
“For the upcoming match between India and West Indies, if I had to choose between Bhuvneshwar and Shami, I would definitely pick Bhuvneshwar.
“Bhuvneshwar can bowl to Chris Gayle at the outer angle and that is what makes Gayle uncomfortable.
“I still remember how uncomfortable he was when Bhuvneshwar was bowling at him in the last Test I played. I know it will be a little unfortunate for Shami but I believe for this game, Bhuvneshwar should be picked,” Tendulkar signed off.
Comments
SHARE