Veteran pace bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar got his first wicket for India after his return to international cricket on Saturday. The 36-year-old bowled four overs for 50 runs and dismissed Daryl Mitchell in his second over. He was recalled to the team after a string of good performances in IPL and domestic cricket.

Speaking to BCCI, Kumar said that he was not chasing a spot in the Indian team and also opined on the performances of the bowlers in the shortest format of the game. “I am currently in a space where I don’t have expectations from myself, and that’s how things have worked out for me in the last 3-4 years,” he said.

“We normally talk about the present, rather than focusing on the future. I didn’t play for the country, but the things I did and the maturity that has come in me as a person have taught me to stay in the present.

He also opened up on the impact player rule. “The mindset of the batters has opened up a lot after the impact player rule, and they tend to go after the bowlers from the first ball. Bowlers are seen as victims, but that is not the case, as the bowlers can control the game.”

Veteran pacer’s below-par return

Just like the first game, Kumar struggled for consistency with the ball and his last over went for 18 runs. He bowled two no-balls in the first game, and added one more in the second contest along with three wides.

Bowling his 4th over, the seamer began by overstepping as Glenn Phillips smashed a boundary to reach his second successive fifty of the series.