Kolkata: Indian seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar on Saturday credited the Indian Premier League (IPL) for his improvement in death bowling before pointing out that his side will play without any pressure when they aim for a clean sweep against England in the third ODI at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday.
Speaking on the eve of the final ODI, the 26-year-old insisted that a lot of death bowling in the IPL has added to his experience and has also helped him to brought that mindset into the international cricket.
"The way I'm bowling at the death, thanks to IPL. When Sunrisers picked me I was already playing for the country. They were heavily dependent on me to bowl in the death. A lot of bowling in the death in the IPL has added to my experience and brought that mindset in the international cricket as well," Bhuvneshwar told the reporters.
Having already sealed the three-match ODI series 2-0 following their 15-run win in the second ODI in Cuttack, Bhuvneshwar believes that his side would head into the last game without any extra pressure and would be able to enjoy the game to the fullest.
"Pressure is over now as we have won the series. Now, there is no pressure of that. But when you play international cricket, you want to win in each and every match. You will enjoy this match more because the pressure is over and another thing is that everyone wants to do well without taking any pressure. Yes, we will enjoy this game more than the last two games," he added.
Bhuvneshwar made a return to the ODI squad after a year when he replaced Umesh Yadav in the second ODI in Cuttack.
The Indian pacer, who made a comeback of sorts after injury, admitted that he was feeling nervous when he got the opportunity to represent his country after such a long time.
"It's tough when you're playing after a long time. There is nervousness but it's not because of lack of preparation. I will not say that I was under-pressure but you feel nervous when you know you have got the opportunity after so long. Preparation goes on even when you are out of the team as you can do it anywhere. I was putting my best at the nets, as best as I can. There was no practice match and so my first two-three overs were crucial. My first over went well and that gave me confidence," he emphasized.
Having already proved his ability to bowl at the death, skipper Virat Kohli asked Bhuvneshwar to bowl a 5-over spell from overs 40 - 50, one of the toughest things to do in the game.He ended the match with the figures of 10 overs 63 runs for one.
After the final ODI, India will then host a three-match T20 series against England beginning January 26 at Green Park, Kanpur.
