Bhuvneshwar Kumar returned to First Class cricket after almost six years and helped Uttar Pradesh fight back against Bengal with a stunning five-wicket haul on Day 1 of their Ranji Trophy 2024 Group B, second round match in Kanpur. (More Cricket News)
At the close of play on Friday, Bengal were 95/5 in 28 overs for a lead of 35 runs. Earlier in the day, Bengal captain Manoj Tiwary won the toss and opted to bowl first on a green Green Park top. The toss proved pivotal as the UP innings lasted only 20.5 overs, getting all out for 60.
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And doing the damage was Amroha-born Mohammed Kaif, who destroyed the team representing his native state with a dream spell of 4/14 in just 5.5 overs.
But the 27-year-old pacer's exploits were overshadowed by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who retired for the day with figures of 5/25 in 13 overs -- after claiming the wickets of Sourav Paul, Sudip Kumar Gharami, Anustup Majumdar, Manoj Tiwary and Abishek Porel.
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Kumar, 33, hasn't been part of India's Test squad since 2018, and last played an international match in November 2022, in a T20I against New Zealand. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has 63 wickets in 21 Tests. He has also taken 141 and 90 wickets in 121 and 87 T20Is, respectively.
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He certainly is looking to make a return to the national set-up. After the ongoing T20I series against Afghanistan, India will host England for a five-match Test series.
