Few days back Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the stalwart Indian pacer has prompted retirement rumors by making an intriguing alteration to his Instagram bio. The omission of the word ‘cricketer’ from his bio has stirred speculation about his future in the sport.
Previously, Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s bio proudly displayed ‘Indian cricketer,’ but the 33-year-old has now substituted it with a new description: “Indian Family First. Pet lover. Casual Gamer.”
Having last participated in an ODI match for India against South Africa in January 2022, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has faced a combination of lackluster form and injuries, leading to his exclusion from the national team. As India continues to nurture emerging talents, Bhuvneshwar’s prospects of securing a position in the core squad appear diminished. However, he could potentially be considered for selection when senior players are rested, and a second-string team competes in series.
Amidst growing speculation, several media reports have suggested that the veteran pacer is contemplating retirement following the India vs. Ireland series. Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s illustrious career spans 21 Tests, 117 ODIs, and 48 T20Is, during which he has claimed 63, 132, and 49 wickets, respectively. Remarkably, he stands as the sole Indian bowler to secure five-wicket hauls across all three formats.
A linchpin of the Indian cricket team’s pace attack for a significant duration, Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s influence has been substantial. However, his last appearance was during the T20I series against New Zealand in 2022, and his absence from the team has persisted since. Notably, Bhuvneshwar also featured for the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2023 Indian Premier League, amassing 16 wickets in 14 matches.
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Bhuvneshwar Kumar achieved a unique feat as the second Indian fast bowler to claim a wicket on his maiden delivery in ODIs. He dominated the Indian Premier League, emerging as the highest wicket-taker in consecutive years, 2016 and 2017. But with a new generation of pace bowlers making strides, Bhuvneshwar’s prospects for selection in the Cricket World Cup 2023 appear dim.
In addition to grappling with being sidelined from the Indian cricket team, Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s journey has been marked by battles with injuries, causing him to miss significant tournaments. His absence from the 2019 ODI World Cup due to a hamstring injury had a profound impact on his trajectory. Across 229 international matches, he has amassed an impressive total of 294 wickets at an average of 29.50. As Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s cricketing journey stands at a crossroads, cricket enthusiasts and fans await official confirmation regarding his retirement and future endeavors.