Asia Cup 2022: Going for runs in last two matches doesn’t take away from what Bhuvneshwar did in past, reckons Rohan Gavaskar

Dubai: Former India cricketer Rohan Gavaskar reckons that despite senior pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar going for runs in the death overs of matches against Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Asia Cup 2022, it doesn’t take away from the things he did for the side in the past.

In successive matches, Bhuvneshwar has been far from his best in death overs in Super Four of Asia Cup 2022. Against Pakistan in Dubai, he gave away 19 runs in the penultimate over as India couldn’t defend 181.

Against Sri Lanka on Tuesday, despite India picking four wickets for 13 runs in the middle overs, Bhuvneshwar conceded 14 runs in the penultimate over. He was smashed for fours on overpitched deliveries apart from conceding a brace of wides as Sri Lanka were able to chase down 174 with a ball to spare.

“I think Rohit Sharma and this team management will give Bhuvi the 19th over or the crucial over, whether it is 19th or 20th third time, fourth time, fifth time. Simply because of the number of times he has delivered and bowled that crucial over really well in the past, whether it’s for the Indian team or for his team in the Indian T20 League (IPL).”

“He has got the experience; he has got the skills. I know these are two back-to-back overs in two back-to-back games where he has gone for runs but doesn’t take away from what he has done in the past,” said Rohan Gavaskar on ‘Sports Over The Top’ show on Sports18.

Captain Rohit Sharma had defended Bhuvneshwar’s show in the death overs after India lost to Sri Lanka by six wickets in Super Four stage of Asia Cup 2022.

“Experienced batsmen get out and bowlers leak runs as well, these things are normal and happen. Bhuvi has been playing for so long, and has worked for us for so many years in the death overs and won us games. So we should not judge him on two or three games.”

–IANS