Asia Cup 2022 | Conditions won't allow Bhuvneshwar Kumar to swing the ball: Harbhajan Singh
India Today
In the absence of injured Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel, the focus will be on Bhuvneshwar Kumar to lead the fast bowling attack along with Avesh Khan and Arshdeep Singh.
Former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh said that pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar will not find swing in the UAE, which would force him to concentrate on his line and length at the Asia Cup.
India will begin their campaign in the continental tournament against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday, August 28. The match is scheduled to begin at 7.30 PM IST in Dubai.
In the absence of injured fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel, the focus will be on Bhuvneshwar to lead the fast bowling attack along with Avesh Khan and Arshdeep Singh. While Bumrah and Harshal are undergoing rehab at the NCA, veteran seamer Mohammed Shami was overlooked for the Asia Cup.
"India are without their two big guns, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami. They are as big as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Imagine those two not playing. The same goes with Bumrah and Shami not playing," Harbhajan said on Sports Today.
Meanwhile, India's spin attack includes Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravi Bishnoi and Yuzvendra Chahal.
"When the ball isn't swinging, it becomes even more important for bowlers to get their line and lengths right. If the conditions aren't favourable, you need to alter your game accordingly. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is someone who swings the ball both ways. But these conditions won't allow him to swing the ball.
"The line and length will be critical and you can't afford to give batters room. It's great if you find swing, but if not, you'll have to pull the length back and stick to it."
