Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the skillful swing bowler and an integral part of the Indian cricket team for many years, has sparked retirement rumors after changing his social media platform, Instagram. The 33-year-old cricketer modified his bio, raising questions about his future in the sport. Injuries and a lack of form have kept Kumar out of Team India contention for a while, and recent developments suggest that he might be contemplating hanging up his boots soon.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar recently altered his Instagram bio, which previously identified him as an ‘Indian Cricketer.’ However, his new bio reads as ‘Indian, Family First. Pet Lover. Casual Gamer.’ This change has led to speculations about his intentions and future in cricket.
Injuries and a recent dip in form have plagued Kumar’s journey. He last played an ODI in January 2022 and has been on the sidelines due to various fitness issues. These challenges have hindered his progress, leading to his absence from Team India’s squad.
According to The Cricket Lounge, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, currently undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), is rumored to announce his retirement from cricket after India tours Ireland. The absence of his name from the BCCI’s list of centrally contracted players this year also fuels the retirement rumors.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar changed his bio from Indian cricketer🇮🇳 to Indian🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/XLKIdcFKO3
— Gaurav Agarwal (@7Gaurav8) July 27, 2023
This is really Heartbreaking For Indian Cricket 💔
— MSDian™ (@AdityaSingh5143) July 27, 2023
Give him a atleast One Chance to prove him pic.twitter.com/ozJOVmVGPw
Throughout his career, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been an effective and successful bowler, earning his reputation as a potent swing bowler. Across formats, he has represented India in 87 T20Is, 121 ODIs, and 21 Tests, taking 294 wickets and registering seven five-wicket hauls.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s talents have also been showcased in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he has represented franchises like Pune Warriors, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Sunrisers Hyderabad. He made his IPL debut in 2011 and has been a vital asset for various teams in the tournament.