Correspondent, 26 October: Former India batter Mohammad Kaif has thrown his support behind 36-year-old fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar, urging fans to give him time to settle. The appeal follows Bhuvneshwar's disappointing and highly expensive performances in the first two T20 matches against New Zealand, which marked his return to the international squad after nearly four years.
Speaking on his YouTube channel ahead of the third game in the five-match T20 series against New Zealand, Kaif highlighted the stark contrast between franchise leagues and the national team. During his four-year absence from the international setup, Bhuvneshwar remained a regular in domestic cricket and the IPL. He played a crucial role in helping Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) secure their maiden title in 2025 and subsequently retain the championship in the following season.
However, Kaif emphasized the massive gap between playing in the IPL and representing India. "He is returning after four years, give him some time. Only two matches have happened so far. Cricket has changed a lot in four years. We expect him to take a wicket on the very first ball. This game has now reached new heights. There is a lot of difference between playing in the IPL and playing for India," Kaif stated.
While swinging the ball both ways is Bhuvneshwar's primary weapon, he has found little to no assistance on the New Zealand pitches. Kaif pointed out that compared to traditional 'SENA' nations, the current tracks favor batters far more than swing bowlers.
"People thought the ball would swing a lot in New Zealand, but in reality, the conditions here are good for batting. Moreover, he has returned straight against a strong team," Kaif explained. The statistics reflect this struggle, with Bhuvneshwar conceding 49 runs without taking a wicket in his first T20, and then giving away 50 runs for a single wicket in the second match.
According to Kaif, who is a former RCB cricketer, the fast bowler only leaked excessive runs during specific phases of the two matches. "It would be hasty to form an opinion on him right now. Yes, he has to work on his no-balls because that is turning the tide of the match," he noted.
Kaif further argued that looking past the surface statistics reveals a different picture. Even though conceding 50 runs in four overs appears expensive, an over-by-over analysis shows his bowling has been relatively good. He concluded by advising critics to wait until the entire series concludes before analyzing, reiterating that Bhuvneshwar still managed to bowl well in certain phases.
