Since Bhuvneshwar has played 21 Tests for India, he has taken 63 wickets. Unfortunately, injuries plagued his Test career and limited-overs appearances as well. In the white-ball series against England last year, he made a return to the Indian team, having last played for them in August 2019.

With Bhuvneshwar’s absence, the Indian pace quartet of Bumrah, Shami, Ishant Sharma, and Umesh Yadav has had considerable success in the domestic and overseas Tests. Bhuvneshwar has been competing against pacers like Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur over the past year as well. He will play three one-day internationals against South Africa in the upcoming three-match series against the visitors. India scored 240 runs to win the second Test against South Africa on Day 3 in Johannesburg. The side set a challenging target for the Proteas. At 118/2, South Africa finished the day strong, but the Indian bowlers will aim to take advantage of the deteriorating pitch condition on Day 4.

During the final session of the day, the Indian pace attack – made up of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Shardul Thakur – failed to deliver at the highest level. Mohammed Siraj was out because of a hamstring injury he sustained during the first innings. An Indian bowler not on the current Indian Test team but who has played extensively for India across all formats until early 2018 was mentioned by former Indian opener Aakash Chopra at the end of the discussion.