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.
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.
Watch it here:
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.
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.
