Seam bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been out of India’s next two or three World Cup matches due to a hamstring injury which he sustained during the clash against Pakistan in Manchester on Tuesday.
Bhuvneshwar slipped on the footmarks and pulled up midway through his third over, limping off the field during Pakistan’s chase of 336. He couldn’t take further part in the match after tightness in his left hamstring.
The remainder of Bhuvi’s over was bowled by Vijay Shankar, who struck with his very first delivery to send back Imam ul Haq LBW for 7. Upon leaving the field, the right-arm pacer was looked up by Team India physio Patrick Farhart and a decision was taken to keep him off the field, with Shankar and Hardik Pandya combining to fill for him.
Now, Bhuvi would not be available for selection for the matches against Afghanistan on June 22 and West Indies on June 27 and possibly the crunch clash against England on June 30.
It is second big jolt for India as opener Shikhar Dhawan has already been ruled out of a few games due to a thumb injury, sustained during the match against Australia.
Bhuvneshwar has played a key part in both of India’s games thus far – the third against New Zealand was washed out – taking five wickets for a total of 94 runs.
Mohammed Shami will replace Bhuvneshwar in the playing eleven, confirmed Indian skipper Virat Kohli at the press-conference in Manchester.
