Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar on Wednesday 26 June, picked pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar over fellow speedster Mohammed Shami, who took a sensational last-over hat-trick against Afghanistan, when an unbeaten India take on West Indies in their World Cup game in Manchester, on Thursday, 27 June.
The Master Blaster picked 'Bhuvi', as the pacer is commonly known, for his sheer ability to trouble swashbuckling West Indies batsman Chris Gayle.
“It’s a great news for India that Bhuvneshwar Kumar is fit. I have seen his body language which showed that he is really confident.”Sachin Tendulkar
Kumar (29) had sustained an injury against Pakistan and missed the game against Afghanistan, which India won by 11 runs on 22 June.
Shami (29), who was drafted in the team in place of Kumar, took a hat-trick in the 50th over of Afghanistan's innings, becoming only the second Indian, after pacer Chetan Sharma, to achieve the feat in a World Cup match.
“For the upcoming match between India and West Indies, if I had to choose between Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami, I would definitely pick Bhuvneshwar Kumar.”Sachin Tendulkar
"The only reason being, Bhuvneshwar Kumar can bowl to Chris Gayle at the outer angle and that is what makes Chris Gayle uncomfortable” Tendulkar added.
"I still remember how uncomfortable Chris Gayle was when Bhuvneshwar Kumar was bowling at him in the last Test I played," added Tendulkar, who has numerous records to his name.
The 46-year-old batting legend played the last of his 200 Test matches, a world record, at Mumbai in 2013.
“I know it will be a little unfortunate for Mohammed Shami but I believe for this game, Bhuvneshwar Kumar should be picked,”Sachin Tendulkar
India, unbeaten in the World Cup till now, will take on an ousted-yet-dangerous West Indies in the sixth league phase encounter of the showpiece event.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)