The Indians bowlers have been exposing the vulnerability of the Australian batsmen in the ongoing ODI series. Kuldeep Yadav had spoken about it ahead of the second match, and went on to prove his point with a hat-trick.
It was the second three-in-a-row at Eden Gardens after the legendary Kapil Dev’s performance in the 1991 Asia Cup against Sri Lanka.
The Eden Gardens, with its rich history, is a place where cricketers dream of making a mark. Matching Kuldeep’s treble — in terms of merit than the sequence — was Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s three wickets.
The Indian pacer once again showed how efficient swing bowling can be by removing opener David Warner early. Bhuvneshwar was also instrumental in prising out the other opener, Hilton Cartwright, but it was Warner’s wicket which mattered to him and the team more.
“I had planned it. After bowling the first ball, I could see some swing on the wicket. I generally bowl outswingers to Warner in Tests. Here again, I saw the chance of getting him,” said Bhuvneshwar.
The Indian pacer said the Indian Premier League has hardly kept anything secret when it comes to players’ abilities. A player now has to work really hard and be innovative.
“I know where he lacks and he knows where I am about to bowl.
“The IPL is a platform where everyone gets to know each other well. So, to be effective, you need to innovate on the ground. The one who executes it better will come out the winner,” the Indian pace spearhead, who returned figures of 6.1-2-9-3, said.
As grounded as ever, Bhuvneshwar said he has never considered himself a “premier” bowler. “I cannot say premier, as everyone is premier when he gets the opportunity. It is the same with me too, and that is something which I never really think about,” he said, adding that the only thing he has cared about is hard work.