Fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar has made a notable return to the Indian cricket team after a four-year hiatus.
He attributes his comeback to a disciplined approach, focusing on his craft without setting personal expectations. In a video released by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Bhuvneshwar shared his philosophy of living in the present rather than worrying about the future.
The 34-year-old expressed, “The mindset I have is quite simple. I do not set expectations for myself. Over the last three to four years, I have been consistent with this approach. We often talk about living in the moment, not thinking about the future. I believe I am still in that mindset.”
Acknowledging his absence from the national squad, Bhuvneshwar reflected on the personal growth he experienced during this time. He stated, “I was aware that I wasn’t playing for my country. However, the maturity I gained taught me to stay present. I never chased the Indian jersey over these four years, and I had no idea when that time would come.”
He credited his return to the Indian team to his performances in domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL). While he was uncertain about his chances of being called back, he maintained his preparation for both formats.
“During the last two IPL seasons, I went in without any expectations. But that did not mean I was not preparing. I worked on my fitness, skills, and mental aspects. Yes, I had no expectations of what I would achieve. I aimed to contribute to the team without thinking about winning two IPL titles in just two years,” he noted.
Bhuvneshwar believes that the IPL has also helped him adapt to the evolving demands of T20 cricket, where aggressive batting has become the norm. He remarked, “I understand the role of an impact player. However, this impact player has changed the mindset of batsmen, who now attack from the first ball. Traditionally, we viewed bowlers as victims, but as bowlers, we can control the game.”
He pointed out the significant changes in the game over the years, not just in franchise cricket but also internationally, stating, “A score of 200 has become a small target.”
The experienced pacer also discussed the challenges of playing abroad, especially in countries like South Africa, England, and Australia, where conditions can be tough for both batsmen and bowlers.
“It’s not a big deal. We are a young team with years of experience. When we tour abroad, it can be challenging due to different conditions. Generally, we come with the expectation of facing fast bowlers, but in the last four or five years, bowlers have received less support in the white-ball format. I’ve realized that T20 has become a format where bowlers need to be very mature,” he explained.
Bhuvneshwar emphasized the importance of having a winning mindset on foreign tours, particularly in challenging conditions. “When we tour such countries, the primary mindset is to win. It’s not easy, but winning in these nations brings immense satisfaction,” he added.
After India secured a victory in the first T20 match, Bhuvneshwar remarked, “The way we won the first game, I know it was tough for the bowlers. The way the batsmen chased the target has boosted the team’s confidence. A win in the first match instills confidence for the upcoming games and the series.”