3 Best Test performances Of Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar Kumar first made the limelight when he became the first bowler to dismiss Sachin Tendulkar in a first-class match on a duck. Later, he went on to become the first Indian player to grab a fifer in all formats of the game, thus cementing his place in history.

Bhuvneshwar made his debut in 2012 and has never looked back since. He is undoubtedly the best swing bowler in the Indian team right now, and has solidified his place in the Indian team as a fast bowling all-rounder - especially in Tests.

Bhuvneshwar also holds many batting records for India in Tests. He is the first Indian number 9 player to get three fifties in one series, and he has also faced the most number of balls (97) by a debutante coming to bat at number 10. Bhuvneshwar was also a crucial part of the Indian Test team which won nine consecutive Test series.

Here are the three best performances of Bhuvneshwar in Tests:

1. 6/82, 86 runs vs England at Lord’s, 2014

When Bhuvneshwar made his Lord's debut, he ripped apart the English batting with the figures of 6-82 in the first innings, limiting the lead to only 24 runs. He also contributed with the bat, scoring an 84-ball 36 in the first innings and a 71-ball 56 in the second.

Although Bhuvneshwar couldn't get a wicket in the second innings, he had done enough damage in the first innings to ensure that his side retained the initiative. With crucial contributions from Ajinkya Rahane and Ishant Sharma, India grabbed a 95-run victory at Lord's - their first at the venue in 28 years.

Match Result: India won by 95 runs.

Here's a video clip of Bhuvneshwar's memorable performance:

2. 5/82, 121 runs vs England at Nottingham, 2014

Cricket - Investec Test Series - First Test - England v India - Day Two - Trent Bridge

Though India could not get to victory in this match, Bhuvneshwar was at his best. He grabbed his first five-wicket haul in the only England innings. He also contributed with the bat scoring 58 off 149 balls, adding 111 runs with Mohammed Shami for the 9th wicket in the first innings.

Bhuvneshwar also went on to score an unbeaten fifty in the second innings, adding almost 100 runs with Stuart Binny and 47 runs for the last wicket with Ishant Sharma. The composed batting by Bhuvneshwar, Binny and Ishant was enough to save the match.

England could have got a huge first innings lead but Bhuvi's 5-wicket haul limited their lead to 39 runs which increased India's chances of saving the match.

Match Result: Match drawn

3. 4/88 and 4/8 vs Sri Lanka at Kolkata, 2017

India vs Sri Lanka 2017

In the first Test against Sri Lanka at Eden Gardens, after getting a poor start with the bat, Bhuvneshwar Kumar never let the batsmen settle down. Though the match ended in a draw due to rain, Bhuvneshwar took eight wickets in the game to showcase his prowess.

His figures read 4-88 in the first innings and an unbelievable 4-8 in the second innings, where he bowled 8 maidens out of the 11 overs he sent down. India just missed out on the victory with Sri Lanka on stranded 75-7, which was when the fifth day ended.

Bhuvneshwar was awarded the man of the match for his bowling efforts. Everyone was expecting a draw when Sri Lanka came out to bat in the second innings. But Bhuvi had other ideas as he destroyed the Sri Lankan batting by taking 4 wickets and giving away only 8 runs in the process, almost winning the match for India.

Match Result: Match drawn