With the emphasis of a tournament usually being placed on pure speed, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is quietly crafting a new story. He is no longer the quickest bowler in the field, or the one who depends upon threatening pace. But, game after game, he is discovering how to outwit batters and dominate the game.
As a member of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Bhuvneshwar has been excelling in one aspect that most bowlers have been finding difficult in T20 game, and that is remaining relevant at each stage of the game. It could be the initial swing with the new ball or the combination of variations in the end but his style does not appear as aggressive but calculated.
What is interesting is that this performance has rekindled an old debate namely whether or not age is a consideration when it comes to T20 cricket or is it a matter of skill and awareness? Recently, former opener Virender Sehwag tilted towards the later, hinting that in case a bowler is performing, the paper should not be a hindrance.
Another angle, which arises in the discussion, is that of combinations. India has been living on the balance between control and pace over the years, which might also come into focus once again provided that experienced bowlers are able to sustain such a level of performance. It is not a matter of returning to the past, but of using what remains applicable.
The shape of Bhuvneshwar does not yell dominance but demonstrates something equally significant, the ability to remain in control even in a crisis. His talent to keep things tight is what makes him special in a format where a single bad over can transform everything.
The larger issue now is whether he can act or not – he already does. The real issue is that does performance such as these suffice to draw experienced players back into the broader discussion?
Since in some cases in cricket, the quickest bowler does not help you to win games but the smartest.
