Bhuvneshwar Kumar is more mature than Ishant Sharma: Balvinder Singh Sandhu

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar Kumar earned rich rewards for putting up consistent performances in the last few series as the lean seamer became the first Indian bowler to bag a five-wicket haul across all three formats when the Men in Blue thrashed South Africa in the opening T20 clash in Johannesburg on Sunday.

Bhuvneshwar claimed 5-24 as India clinched a 28-run win, defending 203-5. Bhuvneshwar not only impressive up front when he spearheaded the attack, he was equally good in the final overs.

Balvinder Singh Sandhu, who is the BCCI's bowling consultant at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore, felt Bhuvneshwar's street-smart approach is the reason for his success. "Bhuvi is a street-smart cricketer. If you compare Bhuvneshwar with other bowlers we have, they may have more pace and are much stronger than him, but this guy is more matured as a bowler. He gets the best out of his talent. He is always close to delivering his peak potential," Sandhu told mid-day yesterday.

'Thinking bowler'
The 1983 World Cupper said Bhuvneshwar looks to have wealth of experience despite the fact that he has played just 21 Tests. "Bhuvi has showed more maturity than (senior pacer) Ishant (Sharma). He gives an impression of being the main strike bowler, but that is not the case when Ishant is bowling. Bhuvi is a thinking bowler," Sandhu said.

"Even in a crisis, Bhuvi has a smile which makes him physically and mentally relaxed. Generally, pacers lose their temper, get agitated and when they get hit they get upset. It's not how Bhuvi reacts," Sandhu added.
Former India pacer Raju Kulkarni said no team in the world will take Bhuvneshwar granted. "The opposition will think twice before dishing out a seaming, bouncy wicket and that is what I think makes him a wonderful asset for the Indian Test team.

Fitness crucial: Kulkarni
"Bhuvi's greatness is that he has very steady head on his shoulder. He reads the wicket well and knows exactly what to bowl. He doesn't get carried away," said Kulkarni. However, Kulkarni wants the Meerut-based bowler to work on his fitness to prolong his career. "His fitness was questioned earlier, but very few have been able to come back after an injury and bowl with the same intensity at the international level."

My ward's green top-preparation worked: Coach
Bhuvneshwar Kumar's coach Sanjay Rastogi revealed the secret behind's his ward's consistent performances across formats. "As part of our preparation for the SA tour, we prepared green tops with good bounce. He practised on the centre wicket, bowling to left and right-handed batsmen. He consistently bowled a good line and length which helped him in SA. He was also thorough in his preparation while analysing the Proteas batsmen was concerned," Rastogi told mid-day from Meerut.

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