Stats: Players who took 5-wicket hauls in all the three formats

Bhuvneshwar Kumar gradually emerged as India’s most reliable bowler in all the formats irrespective of the numbers which don’t speak of his importance completely. The pacer developed variations that suit the limited-overs formats making the life tough for the batsmen, especially in the death overs. His natural ability to swing the ball and the added speed makes him a regular feature in the Indian team for the longer format as well.

India began the South African tour with three wickets in first five overs thanks to some brilliant bowling from Bhuvneshwar. However, India failed to capitalize the start and fell short in the run-chase. After being dropped from the 2nd Test, Bhuvi returned with a special performance in the final Test which India won to reduce the series margin to 1-2. The Indian pacer bagged only two wickets in the ODI series that dominated by India and was rested from the final game.

However, the 28-year-old came back strong with a 5-wicket haul in the first T20I play on a batting paradise in Johannesburg. Bhuvneshwar Kumar recorded figures of 5/24 in his four overs to break the South African chase. He picked up two wickets in his opening spell of three overs and returned to bowl at the death where he bagged three in same over. Thus, he became the first Indian pacer to take a 5-wicket haul in the T20I format and the 2nd Indian player after Yuzvendra Chahal (6/25 in 2017).

With the help of this five-wicket haul, Bhuvneshwar Kumar also became the first Indian and the 6th player to bag a 5-wicket haul in all the three formats. This list is equivalent to the list of players with centuries in all the three formats. Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul have made into the rare list from India. This 5-fer was Bhuvi’s 2nd in Twenty20 cricket with the first coming during the last year’s IPL. He became the 4th Indian player after Love Ablish, Amit Mishra and Jaydev Unadkat to take multiple 5-wicket hauls in T20s.

Players with 5-wicket hauls in the all three formats of International cricket:

(Stats as on February 18, 2018)

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