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IPL 2017: Bhuvneshwar Kumar not willing to compromise on swing for pace

Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the stand out performer for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in their last meeting versus Kings XI Punjab (KXIP).

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been in sublime form in IPL 10 © AFP
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been in sublime form in IPL 10 © AFP

India pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has stated that he will never compromise on swing — his strength — at the cost of extra pace. Bhuvneshwar who is experiencing a golden run in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017 with most wickets spoke ahead of Sunrisers Hyderabad‘s (SRH) game versus Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) at Mohali on Friday. Bhuvneshwar, with 16 wickets, attributes his success to relentless hard work at practice sessions. Rated as one of the best death bowlers, the 27-year-old captured his first five-wicket haul in IPL when SRH defeated KXIP by 5 runs at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad in an earlier game this season. Full Cricket Scorecard, Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kings XI Punjab, IPL 2017, Match 32

“How you practice in nets matters a lot. If you bowl good yorkers in nets and come up with good variation, it helps your on-field performance. In the series against South Africa my pace had increased but swing was compromised. But this was a turning point for me as I realised that no matter how fast you are, you cannot afford to lose the swing. I worked on this aspect and now I am happy that I have both the speed and swing in my bowling,” Bhuvneshwar said.

Bhuvneshwar also spoke about his mindset during a game. He stated that he does not sweat too much thinking about the outcome of a match but only focuses on the process. “I think in T20 things are related to pressure and if you handle it well you are on top of your game. I think about process and not too much about results. Actually, I never think that I have to be at top every time. Obviously, I have to do well in every game and series, that’s what I try to do. I try to improve and work on the swing and variation in my bowling”, he replied.

“Depending on the format, if I am playing a Test match then reverse swing is something I always want to work on. When I made my debut I was not a reverse swing bowler or my pace was not what it is now. It is always challenging. I feel if you have to bowl yorkers, your every basic has to be correct. I feel death bowling is the toughest part in short format of the game,” Bhuvneshwar added.

On being asked what are the shortcoming of SRH who are at third spot in the points table, Bhuvneshwar told, “As a unit we have done well in every aspect of the game. We want to do well in all the departments of the game.”

India’s squad for June’s ICC Champions Trophy is slated to be announced soon, but Bhuvneshwar is not thinking much about his selection and claims that he is focused on giving his best whenever he gets a chance. “Competition is there and it is good. But as a cricketer such things do not remain in the back of our minds. We know when a team is to be selected, there is a pool of bowlers who will be selected. Everyone knows whoever is picked will be on the basis of his performance,” he concluded.

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