Bhuvneshwar hasn’t played a first-class match of any sort since India’s sole Test victory in their 2018 series in South Africa, with injury struggles and the emergence of a new crop of fast bowlers standing in his way. He was one of the most notable omissions from India’s touring group for the World Test Championship final and five-Test series against England, having returned successfully to action in limited-overs cricket in recent times.

According to a report in Times of India, a source said Bhuvneshwar had lost his “drive” to play Test cricket.

“Bhuvneshwar just doesn’t want to play Test cricket anymore. That drive has gone missing,” they said. To be honest, the selectors don’t even see Bhuvi hungry for 10 overs, forget Test cricket. It’s Team India’s loss no doubt, because if one bowler should have made it to England, it should have been him.”

However, the bowler himself has since confirmed he is working as hard as ever to win a Test comeback, imploring the media not to “write your assumptions based on ‘sources’”.

“There have been articles about me not wanting to play Test cricket,” he tweeted. “Just to clarify, I have always prepared myself for all three formats irrespective of the team selection and will continue to do the same. Suggestion – please don’t write your assumptions based on ‘sources’!”

There have been articles about me not wanting to play Test cricket. Just to clarify, I have always prepared myself for all three formats irrespective of the team selection and will continue to do the same.
Suggestion – please don’t write your assumptions based on “sources”!

— Bhuvneshwar Kumar (@BhuviOfficial) May 15, 2021

Bhuvneshwar has taken 63 wickets from 21 Tests at an average of 26.09. His aptitude for extracting swing is thought to make him an ideal candidate to take the new ball in England, and he played a part in a famous Test win in 2014, taking six wickets at Lord’s as India claimed a 1-0 series lead.