Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has made a spectacular return to first-class cricket after 6 years. The experienced bowler registered a five-wicket haul for Uttar Pradesh against Bengal and took the team in victory lane in the ongoing Ranji Trophy match.
Bhuvneshwar saved his team on the first day of the match after their disastrous first-inning batting display. The captain of Bengal, Manoj Tiwary, chose to bowl first after winning the toss in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh's Green Park Stadium. When UP batted first, they were dismissed for a meager total of just 60 runs as Bengal's bowler Mohammed Kaif claimed 4 wickets.
Kaif is the cousin brother of Mohammed Shami, one of the best pacers in India, who played domestic cricket for Bengal. Samarth Singh (13), Aryan Juyal (11), and captain Nitish Rana (11) were the only players for Uttar Pradesh to score more than ten.
.@BhuviOfficial on fire 🔥
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) January 12, 2024
A five-wicket haul and he's taken all 5⃣ Bengal wickets to fall so far. What a splendid spell 👌👌@IDFCFIRSTBank | #RanjiTrophy | #UPvBEN
Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/yRqgNJxmLY pic.twitter.com/Dqu0OgJMk0
Bhuvneshwar is playing for his team in the Ranji Trophy for the first time since 2018. He hasn't participated in first-class matches since 2018. Bhuvneshwar took five wickets against Bengal to celebrate his debut in style. The Bengals' total at stumps on the first day was 95 for 5, and they are led by 35 runs.
Before Bhuvneshwar caused a collapse in the eleventh over, Bengal had not lost a wicket until that point. On Friday, January 12, he picked all five of Bengal's wickets that fell. During his 11 overs, the pacer took the team from 32 for 0 to 82 for 5. With 5 wickets for 25 runs in 13 overs, he concluded Day 1.
Throughout all formats, Bhuvneshwar was India's top bowler; however, he hasn't played for the national team since 2018. He played his final Test match for India in the whites in Johannesburg against South Africa. The 33-year-old's injury history has plagued his international career.
Nonetheless, a five-match Test series between England and India is scheduled to begin in Hyderabad on January 25. Bhuvneshwar would be hoping that his outstanding performance will get the attention of Indian selectors.
Bhuvneshwar amassed 63 wickets for India in 21 Test matches, including four five-wicket hauls.
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