Bhuvneshwar Kumar has become talk of the town due to his back-to-back failure in the death overs which has cost India matches, be it of Asia Cup or 1st T20I vs Australia.
Bhuvi conceded 19 runs in the 19th over vs Pakistan, 14 vs SL in Asia Cup ties and 16 vs Aussies in the 1st T20I. This has raised questions on his spot in India's fold.
Is it the mishandling of Bhuvneshwar which has led to his flop show in T20I cricket? Statistics show that the powerplay king is running out of steam in death overs.
Bhuvi's economy is 5.92 among bowlers who have bowled at least 100 balls in the powerplay in IPL 2022. His economy is 5.95 in IPL 2021. No one was better than him in both the seasons.
Bhuvi has been amazing in IPL. He has an economy of 5.94 among bowlers who have bowled 1000 balls in the powerplay. Bowlers following him have an economy of above six and a half.
Even if seen on the basis of overall T20 matches, Bhuvneshwar is at the top. His economy is 5.85. However in T20Is, he is even better with an economy of 5.69.
Bhuvneshwar has bowled the most 972 balls in T20 cricket in the powerplay. Following him is Tim Southee (804). Bhuvi has 43 wickets and he is 9 wickets ahead of the second bowler.
It is pretty clear that Bhuvneshwar should only be used in the powerplays given his flop show in death overs. He has been undisputed ace bowler for India in powerplays.