New Delhi, Pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has said that the recently concluded cash-rich Indian Premier League helped the Men in Blue prepare for the upcoming World Cup in England.
“IPL has helped us in preparing for the World Cup. Self-confidence increases when you have wickets and runs. It was important for me to be in good form and taking wickets that I did for Sunrisers Hyderabad,” the 29-year-old bowler told a daily.
The 2019 World Cup will kick off in England from 30th May. India’s speedsters, Mohammed Shami and death over specialist Jaspreet Bumrah, are in great form. The team has great expectations from their bowlers.
Bhuvi, who did not have a fruitful 12th edition of the IPL, however believes that he can do well in the upcoming World Cup in England. So far, Bhuvi has grabbed 118 wickets off 105 matches. Earlier, he was included in the 2105 WC squad. Apart from Bhuvi, there are six more players in the squad, who took part in the WC four years ago.
Getting better He said, “Since the last World Cup, I have done a lot of work on my bowling in terms of pace and variations like the slower ball and knuckle ball. I have also worked on my fitness.’
On whether India has the best bowling attack, he said, ‘I don’t want to comment on whether we are the best or not, our performance on the field will define our attack. Our performances over the last few years speak for us. The Indian bowling attack has grown compared to the past. Today, we can say that our pace attack can make an impact on any surface.
‘I agree that pitches in England in the last few years have been flat, but teams will be wary of India’s bowling unit since we can be potent both at the start and at the death. It will all boil down to how we execute the plans on the given day,’ he said while commenting about flatter pitches in England.
Array When being asked about knuckle ball mastering, he replied, Batsmen are aware of bowlers who bowl the knuckle ball and are prepared for it. But it also gives us opportunity as a bowler to be smarter while delivering the ball.
Regarding preparations for the World Cup, Bhuvi said, ‘There will be some swing around, which is my strength. Unlike in India, pitches in England don’t usually get slower as the game progresses. So depending on whether the ball is moving or not, I make my plans.’