Bhuvneshwar Kumar Blows Away Bengal Top-Order With Five-Wicket Haul On Ranji Trophy Return

Kanpur: Veteran seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar blew away Bengal top-order in an incredible five-wicket haul in a dream Ranji Trophy comeback as Uttar Pradesh bounced back after being shot out for 60 on the opening day of their group B match on Friday. Opting to bowl on a green-top pitch after a delayed start, Uttar Pradesh’s first innings lasted just 20.5 overs in the opening session. India pacer Mohammed Shami’s younger brother Mohammed Kaif was the star for Bengal, claiming 4/14 in his 5.5 overs.

But what unfolded thereafter was a Bhuvi show as the injury-prone India seamer marked his first-class return by claiming 5/25 from 13 overs, that included three maiden overs. The 33-year-old, who last played in Tests in the South Africa tour in 2018, dismissed Sourav Paul (13) and Sudip Gharami (0) in the space of three balls.

He then returned to take the wickets of Anustup Majumdar (12), captain Manoj Tiwary (3) and Abhishek Porel (12) in one spell en route to his 13th first-class fifer. With the India’s five-match home Test series against England on the horizon and doubts lingering over Mohammed Shami’s return, it remains to be seen if the selectors are prompted to reconsider Bhuvneshwar after Friday’s show.