Bhuvneshwar Kumar one of best pacers in IPL history: Muttiah Muralitharan - Hindustan Times
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Bhuvneshwar Kumar one of best pacers in IPL history: Muttiah Muralitharan

Bengaluru | ByPress Trust of India
Apr 24, 2017 09:13 PM IST

Owing to Bhuvneshwar Kumar‘s ability to swing the ball and stop the run flow, especially during the death overs, Muttiah Muralitharan --Sunrisers Hyderabad’s bowling coach -- has heaped praise on the 27-year-old seamer, saying he is one of the best pacers in the Indian Premier League (IPL) till date.

Complimenting Bhuvneshwar Kumar for his ability to stop run flow during slog overs, former Sri Lankan spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan has hailed the Indian paceman as the one of the best bowlers in IPL history.

Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar is currently the leading wicket-taker in IPL 2017, with 16 scalps in seven games.(BCCI)
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar is currently the leading wicket-taker in IPL 2017, with 16 scalps in seven games.(BCCI)

“Over the last four, five years that I have been seeing him, he is the best bowler in IPL history. He bowls two overs in the Power Play and two at the death and his economy rate is so low,” Muralitharan said.

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(Read | Muttiah Muralitharan to be inducted into ICC Hall of Fame during Champions Trophy)

“Unfortunately he has not played much T20 cricket for India. He will be a very big prospect for India as well, in these conditions or in any conditions. Hopefully, people will realise that. He is one of the most successful bowlers in IPL history as a fast bowler.”

On Bhuvneshwar conceding 19 runs in penultimate over against Pune, Muralitharan said when some like Mahendra Singh Dhoni strike ball when in form, there is not much a bowler can do.

(Read | For Rising Pune Supergiant finisher MS Dhoni, ‘no required rate too high’)

“That was Dhoni’s day, it happens. Every bowler cannot go quiet every time. Dhoni is such a class player ... Ten runs went off Bhuvneshwar of very good yorkers. It happens in cricket,” he said.

Asked whether he was surprised by Dhoni’s removal as Pune captain, Muralitharan said it is owners’ decision and he does not have much to comment upon.

“It is not for me to judge that but he is a world-class captain. We cannot comment. It is all about the decision the owners take. I don’t know what the story is,” he said.

(Read | Royal Challengers Bangalore seek redemption in 2017 IPL vs Sunrisers Hyderabad)

Talking about the impact of spin on T20, Muralitharan said spinners have done well in every IPL and there should not be any comparison between spinners and fast bowlers since many teams give more chance to pacers.

On Afghanistan spinners including Rashid Khan, Muralitharan said they are brilliant and will take IPL experience into international games.

“The spinners from Afghanistan including Rashid have done brilliantly. They have delivered more than what we expected,” he said.

Muralitharan said Afghanistan have capable players but they should have right infrastructure to boost them. Even if they get Test status, it will take them 10-15 years to make an impact, he said.

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