‘I just wish I would be injury-free for the World Cup’: Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Indian player Bhuvneshwar Kumar has said he would not be thinking about next year’s Twenty20 World Cup in Australia as his main target is to get fit.

Kumar has laid low by sports hernia, the latest in a series of injuries, which kept him out of the recent one-day series against West Indies.

The 29-year-old suffered hamstring strain during the 50-overs World Cup in England this year.

He missed the home series against South Africa and Bangladesh with niggles.

Kumar will consult a doctor abroad next week before deciding whether to undergo surgery.

“Right now, I don’t know when I will be able to make a comeback. It could be one day, one week, or one month.”

It all depends on the diagnosis and treatment plan,” Kumar said in a statement.

“I want to play cricket. Right now I’m completely off it. I’m just waiting to get back to the game. It could be frustrating at times”, he said.

Kumar’s absence has coincided with the rise of Deepak Chahar whose new-ball skills have drawn comparison with Kumar.

Both the Uttar Pradesh bowlers would be eyeing a place in India’s squad for the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia.

“I am not thinking of the World Cup yet. I just wish I would be injury-free for the World Cup.”

“My first target is to get fit. But once I return to the game, I will start planning for the World Cup.”

India will play a Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka followed by three one-day internationals against Australia before embarking on a tour of New Zealand.