Bhuvaneshwar Kumar: The best Indian bowler on view this IPL

We are more then halfway into the IPL and it has again been the bat which has dominated the ball which is often the case in this shortened version of the game. The bowlers haven’t been given much of a chance on these featherbeds but even then the best bowlers on display have been the foreign recruits like Steyn, Narine, Malinga and company. Although most of the Indian bowlers have disappointed, there has been one I would specifically like to mention in this piece who has stood out.

Bhuvaneshwar Kumar hasn’t looked out of sort when bowling with Dale Steyn and that is as big a compliment as anyone can get. Its like batting with Tendulkar and matching him shot for shot. What he lacks in pace, he makes up with swing and accuracy. He has taken early wickets all through the tournament and batsmen have found it hard to dispatch him in the death overs. He has even got his yorkers right which has been an area of concern for Indian quick bowlers. He has stood miles ahead in comparison with all other Indian quicks in this edition of the IPL.  His fitness is also good as he has rarely missed any of the international matches because of injury and if he can add a few more yards of pace to his already impressive bowling, he will be an asset to the country in years to come.

He has been at his absolute best this season. Kumar has gone at less then a run a ball in almost all the matches and currently is the joint highest wicket taker (purple cap holder)along with Mohit Sharma, who himself has been very impressive for CSK. His economy rate this season is even better then the great Dale Steyn and the most remarkable thing about this is that he has bowled at the death quite consistently.

The sunrisers may not qualify for the semi-finals which would make it difficult for Bhuvi to retain the purple cap, but all of India will be hoping he can carry on performing like this on the international stage. After all that is where it all matters.