‘Swing king is back’ – Fans react as Bhuvneshwar Kumar knocks selectors’ door with sensational 8-wicket haul in Ranji Trophy match

In what can be described as a sensational comeback, veteran fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar has bagged an 8-wicket haul in the match against Bengal in Ranji Trophy 2023-24. The Uttar Pradesh star dismantled the opposition batting line-up with his sheer pace and swing at the Green Park in Kanpur. Bhuvi claimed a fifer on Day 1 and picked three more on Day 2 to bring his team back into the game.

UP, inserted to bat first in their Elite Group B match, were bundled out for just 60 runs. Mohammed Kaif and Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal, who picked four and three wickets, respectively, were the pick of the bowlers for Bengal. However, they got a taste of their own medicine as Bhuvneshwar decided to have fun on a good bowling wicket. He bagged a fifer to restrict Bengal to 95/5 at Stumps on the opening day.

The right-arm pacer started his spell with the wickets of Sourav Paul and Sudip Kumar Gharami. Anustup Majumdar, captain Manoj Tiwary, and Ishan Porel were his next victims. Bhuvi continued his onslaught on Day 2 as it was necessary for his team after a disappointing performance by their batters in the first innings. He took three wickets to finish with the figures of 8/41 in 22 overs and helped UP restrict Bengal to 188-10. Apart from Bhuvi, Yash Dayal also grabbed two wickets in the process.

Has Bhuvi managed to knock on the door of Team India selectors?  

This was Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s first first-class match in six years and marked his return to India’s premiere domestic red-ball tournament in style. The 33-year-old has not been a part of India’s Test team since 2018, the last was against South Africa in Johannesburg nearly six years ago.

Interestingly, his stellar performance against Bengal came a day after the Indian Cricket Board announced a 16-member squad for the first two Tests against England. With India set to host the English team in a five-match series starting on January 25, fans are urging the selectors to consider Bhuvi in ​​the squad. Premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah will lead the pace attack comprising Mohammed Siraj, Avesh Khan and Mukesh Kumar.

Here’s how fans reacted to Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s 8-wicket haul in the Ranju Trophy match:

https://twitter.com/singh28915/status/1746105825721045094

https://twitter.com/kohlixfear18/status/1746103889072677371