Ashwin backs Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah for World Cup squad

Bhuvneshwar Kumar is back in the Indian cricket team after taking 45 wickets and helping Royal Challengers Bengaluru win back-to-back titles. His strong form has earned him a place in the squad for the upcoming T20I series in New Zealand.

Ashwin's View

Former Indian cricketer R Ashwin believes Bhuvneshwar and Jasprit Bumrah could play together in next year's World Cup. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin praised Bhuvneshwar's bowling skills, noting his ability to swing the ball both ways while maintaining decent pace. Ashwin also mentioned that Bhuvneshwar is a useful lower-order batsman and a reliable fielder.

Future Outlook

Ashwin admitted that injuries and fitness issues held Bhuvneshwar back in the past, particularly during a tough phase in Australia. However, he feels selectors will watch the New Zealand series closely to see if Bhuvneshwar can also break into the ODI team. If he performs well and stays fit, Ashwin hopes to see both senior fast bowlers travel together to the tournament in South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe.

Context

Experienced fast bowlers often return to national squads after strong domestic performances when selectors need proven wicket-taking options for major international tournaments. Major cricket events typically require a mix of raw pace and swing bowling to handle different pitch conditions across host nations.