T20 World Cup 2022: If the ball is not swinging, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is going to struggle – Wasim Akram

Former Pakistan legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram believes Bhuvneshwar Kumar is going to struggle in the T20 World Cup if he doesn’t get the ball to swing. The Australian conditions are more known for their pace and bounce rather than the swing.

Meanwhile, Bhuvneshwar Kumar isn’t in the best of forms in recent times. Kumar was taken for runs in the 19th over against Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup and then also didn’t have a great series against Australia while playing in the home conditions as he was expensive while bowling at the fag end of the innings.

Kumar has all the experience under his belt and he is going to hold the key for the Indian team. However, the fast bowler from Uttar Pradesh mostly bowls around the 130 kmph mark and it will be interesting to note his performances.

Wasim Akram said if he was part of India’s team management, he would have backed Umran Malik, as the youngster has got the pace under his bag.

“India have Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 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,” Akram was quoted as saying by Khaleej Times.

“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 added.

On the other hand, Suryakumar Yadav has impressed with his pyrotechnics and his ability to score all around the ground. Akram added that Yadav is the future of the T20 format and he is his favorite player.

“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.”

India will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against Pakistan at the MCG on 23rd October.

India squad for ICC T20 World Cup: Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Dinesh Karthik (wicket-keeper), Hardik Pandya, R. Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh.