Indian paceman Bhuvneshwar Kumar turns 26 on Friday. The Meerut lad burst into the international scene with a wicket in the very first over he bowled in his T20 debut against Pakistan in 2012.
Since then Kumar has led India to many memorable victories. His place in the Indian team may have come under question due to the drop in swing since his earlier days, but he still has a lot to offer with his deadly yorkers.
The Quint takes a look at five little known facts about Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
1. When Bhuvi Got Sachin Out For a Duck
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is the only bowler to have dismissed Sachin Tendulkar for a duck in Indian Domestic (first-class) cricket; he had Tendulkar caught off bat and pad for a blob in the Final of the Ranji Trophy 2008-09.
2. Kumar Bowled an Economical Spell When Gayle Slammed 175
In IPL 2013, when Chris Gayle slammed 175 against Pune Warriors India, Bhuvneshwar Kumar finished with incredible figures of 4-0-23-0, a spell which included 15 dot deliveries.
3. India’s Player of the Series in England
Bhuvneshwar Kumar was named India’s Player of the Series in the Test series against England in 2014. Apart from finishing as India’s most successful bowler on that tour with 19 wickets, he also contributed with the bat scoring 247 runs in ten innings which included three half-centuries.
4. Bhuvneshwar ‘The Early Striker’
Off Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s 102 wickets in international cricket, 13 are of batsmen dismissed for a Duck. In all, off his 102 wickets 56 are of batsmen dismissed before they got to two digit scores.
5. Highest Wicket-Taker For Sunrisers Hyderabad
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is the highest wicket-taker for the IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad; he has taken 38 wickets in 28 matches playing for the franchise.