Bhuvneshwar Kumar: The way I'm bowling at the death, it's all thanks to the IPL

In the second One-day international game at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack, Eoin Morgan almost took the game away from India’s grasp by slamming a brave century. It was the disciplined bowling of Kumar that dismissed Moeen Ali in the 44th over, saving India from the ignominy of loss.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who made a comeback to the ODI team almost after a year, in the Cuttack match, credited the IPL for his transformation as a death-over specialist. 

"The way I'm bowling at the death, it's all thanks to the IPL. A lot of bowling in the death in the IPL has added to my experience and given me the mindset. Keeping that in mind, I thought whatever I've done there I will do it here. It has paid for me,"

Bhuvneshwar told the PTI.

The Meerut-born pacer was pretty effective in the 2016 IPL helping the Sunrisers Hyderabad to their maiden title claiming 23 wickets in 17 matches.

"As soon as I was picked I was already playing for the country. They were heavily dependent on me to bowl in the death,” said the 2016 Purple Cap winner.

All that experience came to the fore in Cuttack, where he literally swung the game in India's favour through his tight bowling in the death overs. 

"I knew I had five overs left. I knew it can swing either way. I had experience how to bowl thanks to IPL. There was pressure, dew was there. But the moment I bowled the first over (42nd), I got my confidence back.

"It's most difficult to bowl with a wet ball. Before that match, we were practicing with red ball."

In the ongoing series, more than 350 runs have been scored in each innings which was hitherto unseen half-a-decade ago. With the batsmen ruling the roost, Bhuvneshwar conceded that the bowlers have to accept that it is a batsman's game now.

"We now know that 350 is a normal... a par score in ODI cricket. That's how we plan our practice. You know you've to bowl fast. It's difficult as we're coming from an era where 250-plus was a par score. But it's not safe anymore. It's not easy to bowl as a bowler especially at the death overs."

"It's tough when you're playing after a long time. There is nervousness but it's not because of lack of preparation. Preparation goes on even when you're out of the team as you can do it anywhere. I was putting my best at the nets, as best as I can," Bhuvneshwar replied when asked about his comeback to the ODI team.