The Indian juggernaut at the 2019 World Cup has hit a minor roadblock, with frontline paceman Bhuvneshwar Kumar facing a short spell on the sidelines.
The India pacer pulled out of the game against Pakistan at Old Trafford on Sunday, June 16, after bowling just 2.4 overs, due to tightness in his left hamstring. He then did not return to the field as India completed a comprehensive 89-run rout of their opponents, via the Duckworth-Lewis method, in a rain-marred contest.
It later emerged that Bhuvneshwar had tweaked his hamstring after slipping on a footmark during his follow-through. Speaking after the win, captain Virat Kohli confirmed the injury, although he dismissed any major concerns surrounding it.
Top performance by the team. Thanks to all the fans for turning out in large numbers. 🇮🇳 👌🏼💪🏼 #CWC19 #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/BBGJ0Tbbvz
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) June 16, 2019
“He has a slight niggle,” Kohli told Star Sports, India’s host broadcaster, during the presentation ceremony. “It was because of slipping on the footmarks. It doesn’t look too serious at the moment. We are going to give it some time. Hopefully, he will be ready in a couple of games, if not max by three games from now.”
Kohli said that Bhuvneshwar himself is confident of making a return soon as the injury isn’t too serious, and said that Mohammed Shami, his replacement, is ready to come in and fire.
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“He himself feels that the niggle is not too bad. Just time (resting) will heal it. He is going to be a very important factor for us, so, hopefully, he can recover well in time. We have got Shami ready and raring to go, so we are not too worried about where the situation stands.”
After Bhuvneshwar left the field, all-rounder Vijay Shankar stepped in to complete the over, and struck with his very first World Cup ball, when he trapped opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq lbw.
Bhuvneshwar’s is the second major injury concern to hit India, after Shikhar Dhawan suffered a hairline fracture to his left thumb while batting against Australia, although Kohli had subsequently assured that Dhawan should be good to take back his place at the top of the order for the tournament’s latter stages.
