Rohit Juglan
It’s now nearly three years since Bhuvneshwar Kumar last donned the India jersey. It’s well over seven since he played a Test. But Bhuvneshwar, who has nearly 300 international wickets and 198 in the IPL, isn’t about to look back. Having won the IPL in June with RCB, he tells Rohit Juglan that his focus continues to be on excelling for whichever team he plays for.
Rohit: The way you are bowling nowadays (in UP T20 league), we can see the same Bhuvneshwar Kumar that we have seen playing for India. Do you feel the same about yourself?
Bhuvneshwar: I am always that same Bhuvneshwar Kumar who tries to contribute with the ball as much as possible. If people think I have changed, then it’s their point of view.
Rohit: And I must ask on fitness? Because, at the moment, you are playing constantly.
Bhuvneshwar: Performance is a different thing, but yes, if I am playing back-to-back, then it definitely proves that I am fit.
Rohit: How do you look at this whole workload-management debate? Should it be the player’s call or the should the system around him decide?
Bhuvneshwar: Be it NCA or BCCI, there is a whole team that technically analyses and decides for the athlete, so I see no reason to have any problem with that if BCCI is ok with it.
Rohit: How do you see Indian team bowlers in current times?
Bhuvneshwar: According to me, the bowling unit looks very good at present and well settled. And this settlement is required when you are going to play internationals. If we talk about transition, we can see it for ourselves. They have proved it in the recent tour as well that they are well-rooted in the team as of now.
Rohit: Did you feel RCB was a different team this time than what it usually is? Did it feel like you all are doing anything differently?
Bhuvneshwar: We had our set of plans like any other team would have, but no, we didn’t do anything different. We were just doing our basics and trying to do them well.
Rohit: What do you think are the challenges Dubai conditions would bring forth for the Asia Cup team?
Bhuvneshwar: It’s like any other country except for the fact that it’s very hot out there, which isn’t an ideal thing for cricket when you are playing back-to-back matches. It makes you tired. Having said that, I feel it won’t be alien conditions for any team, as most teams have already played there before.
Rohit: Which do you think was the most vulnerable point of your career? Was it the 2015 injury or something else? Do you reflect on that?
Bhuvneshwar: I haven’t really given it a thought, and I don’t usually think about the past, so I wouldn’t have an answer to this.
Rohit: How do you prepare yourself, now that you have maturity in the game?
Bhuvneshwar: Preparation and mindset are still the same as they were before. Just that with advancing age, the preparation might slightly change to be able to care for the body more. So, I plan my fitness and preparation according to the type of tournament, the duration of the tournament and frequency of matches.
Rohit: Your thoughts on Rajat Patidar as a captain?
Bhuvneshwar: Having a senior team around can be interfering, but he was very impressive to have the maturity to know when to speak and when not to. He handled things really well.
Rohit: Do you think a good performance in IPL can be a benchmark for you to make a comeback?
Bhuvneshwar: I don’t go into a league thinking about the returns it might fetch me. There are people to watch our performances, and my job is always to play good cricket as I enjoy the game. My only target is to make that team win when going into any league.
Rohit: You look the same that you looked 12 or 13 years ago. What is the secret behind this consistent fitness?
Bhuvneshwar: [Laughs] I am maintaining the same workout and diet plan that I have always followed, but yes, according to age, the care for the body has gone up.
Rohit: One batter and one bowler from this new generation of players that you think are good from Team India perspective.
Bhuvneshwar: It’s a full young team aged between 22-25 years, and everyone is superb. So, it would be unfair to take one or two names out of the 11-15 players playing for India at present.
Rohit: Thank you so much, Bhuvneshwar.
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Exclusive 🎙️ @BhuviOfficial with @rohitjuglan — on Team India’s transition, pacers’ workload, his comeback, RCB, Rajat Patidar & more. A must-watch chat with India’s swing king! 🇮🇳🔥 #Cricket #BhuvneshwarKumar #TeamIndia @AgeasFederal @BCCI @CricSubhayan @BoriaMajumdar pic.twitter.com/DcW6RZx4vc
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