Former Pakistan speedster Wasim Akram reckons Bhuvneshwar Kumar will probably be struggling in Australia in the upcoming T20 World Cup. In an interview with Khaleej Times, Akram said, “He is good with the new ball, but with his pace, if the ball is not swinging, he will probably struggle there. But he is a very good bowler no doubt, swings both ways, and has the yorker. But you need pace in Australia.”
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been India’s highest wicket-taker in T20Is since the last T20 World Cup, as he scalped 35 wickets in 26 innings. Since Bumrah is not taking part in the mega event, the UP-based bowler has extra onus with the ball.
Akram also talked about Umran Malik and he thinks that the Indian team management should play him more often.
“You see that guy from Kashmir, Umran Malik, he is quick. India need to stick with him because he has got pace. If I was in the Indian think-tank, I would have picked him in the squad all the time,” he said.
The former left-arm pacer also spoke about India’s key player at the World Cup. According to Akram, Suryakumar Yadav is going to be the key player in the T20 World Cup.
“He is a very dangerous player, he is a 360 player. I saw him first time when he joined the Kolkata Knight Riders. I spent two years with him. I was amazed that the KKR let him go. He was young, he was 19 or 20 then, imagine, he would have been the (KKR) captain by now,” the 56-year-old stated.
“I think he is the future as far as the T20 format is concerned. He is a treat to watch, one of my favorite players in the format no doubt.”
Rohit Sharma-led team will start their T20 World Cup campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on October 23.