4 bowlers of the modern era who are equally effective in all formats

The cricketing calendar of the modern era is jam-packed. Cricketers have to play across the globe and some of them get picked by various franchises in T20 leagues. The fatigue factor has forced the players, especially the fast bowlers, to keep a check on the workload and hence they are forced to pick formats as playing everything is a pretty daunting commitment.

Most bowlers have turned to the T20s, making themselves available for various leagues across the globe. Some of them have even refused to sign first-class cricket contracts for their respective states, thereby showing the unwillingness to be involved with the red-ball game in the near future.

There are barely a few who have chosen to focus on Test cricket. Most players of this type were compelled to do so because of their inability to keep up with the dynamic changes in the shortest formats.

With most bowlers picking formats these days, let us take a look at 4 bowlers who are actively involved and effective in all forms of international cricket.

#4 Shakib-al-Hasan

The Bangladesh veteran has been everything for his team in all formats for more than a decade now. Shakib's all-round abilities provide great balance to the team and are an invaluable asset for Bangladesh. Arguably, he is the most complete cricketer of the modern era.

Shakib's form with the ball at Test level since 2017 has been decent. In the 8 Tests that he has played, he has 31 wickets against his name at 33 apiece. 19 wickets in 15 ODIs since 2017 do not make for bad reading either considering Bangladesh haven't played a lot of ODI cricket at home of late.

In 12 T20Is, Shakib has as many wickets in the last year and a half.

After being handed over the captaincy recently, the onus is on Shakib to lead from the front and continue to deliver the goods. He is Bangladesh's most valuable player going into the 2019 World Cup.

#3 Tim Southee

The Kiwi fast bowler has been his team's man for all seasons over the last 8 years now. Southee comes from the breed of pacers who rely more on swing than pace. He has proved to be a genuine strike-bowler for New Zealand in all formats.

Southee has played 60 Tests, 133 ODIs and 50 T20Is, picking 220, 176 and 62 wickets respectively. He along with his fellow teammate Trent Boult have formed one of the most deadly fast-bowling duos in the modern-day game.

In the last year and a half, Southee has played 6 Tests for New Zealand picking 30 wickets. He has been New Zealand's mainstay in ODI cricket too, helping them get close to winning the series in India last October and against England this year.

In T20Is, his performances have been remarkable, picking 11 wickets in 9 matches this year.

#2 Trent Boult

For many years, Southee was New Zealand’s go-to bowler in crunch situations. However, in recent times, the focus has shifted from Southee to Trent Boult. Boult has been actively involved in all formats of the game for last 3 years.

Like many other Kiwis, Boult is a bowler who has got a big heart; he is always ready to give his best on the field. He possesses all the skills that are required to make a complete bowler.

His 54 Tests, 66 ODIs and 25 T20Is have seen 215, 122 and 37 wickets respectively. Boult is deadly with his intimidating pace when the conditions are offering some swing.

In 7 Tests since 2017, he has picked 42 wickets at 22 apiece. Boult has been in phenomenal form in ODI cricket too, picking 49 wickets from 25 games. In the shortest format, he has 22 wickets to his name from 14 games.

New Zealand are truly blessed to have a fast-bowling duo like Boult-Southee.

#1 Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar’s ability to swing the ball both ways on any surface is an attribute that makes him an indispensable asset for Team India. Initially regarded as a limited-overs bowler, Bhuvneshwar has evolved into a matured Test-match bowler following his good performances in the last couple of years.

The Uttar Pradesh seamer has played 21 Tests, 86 ODIs and 29 T20Is picking 63, 90 and 29 wickets respectively. In Test matches, Kumar bowls upfront and swings the new ball. He is also a work-horse who doesn’t mind bowling long spells.

In limited-over formats, he has developed a good knuckle ball which he uses along with the yorker at the death.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar cemented his place in the Test team after a phenomenal Kolkata Test against Sri Lanka last year. He played a key role on India's tour of South Africa too, helping them win the Johannesburg Test and picking a fifer in one of the T20Is.

Bhuvneshwar has been the go-to bowler in ODI cricket for quite some time now. Having all the weapons in his armory helps him succeed in all formats.