'Won't appreciate much if you win, won't criticize much if you lose' - Bhuvneshwar Kumar on what Dravid told players on SL tour

Rahul Dravid was assigned with the coaching duties of team India during their limited-overs series against Sri Lanka in July. Relatively tasked to guide a young bunch of individuals, Dravid did a commendable job and bagged the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League ODI series 2-1. The second ODI match of the tour earned many applauds and appreciation for Dravid and his players owing to the ability in which the team came back after losing seven wickets for 193 runs in a run-chase of 270. 

India found a new hero in Deepak Chahar and a determined lower-order batter in Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The pacer was coming off from an injury and was also given the extra responsibility of lending support to stand-in captain Shikhar Dhawan. Kumar was up for the task and stood up during the six white-ball games. He took eight wickets and was easily the best Indian bowler on display.

Kumar was asked to shed light on his experience of working with Dravid by VVS Laxman on the Risers Podcast. “It was a good experience,” Bhuvneshwar Kumar replied. “I was looking forward to working with him, and we know how calm he is, and how he works. So he was very similar when he was coaching us. He is someone who looks for the details, gives attention to details. He just wants to keep everything perfect from his side.”

“The one thing I liked from him that he said that – ‘Win or lose we’re gonna be same,” he added. “I won’t appreciate much if you win. I won’t criticize you much if you lose.’ Like I said, he is very calm. I loved working with him.”

Bhuvneshwar Kumar hopeful of Sunrisers Hyderabad turning a corner

Apart from being an integral member of the Indian team, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is also one of the vital players in the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) team. He has so far taken 139 wickets in 126 IPL matches. But this year, at least during the first half of the IPL, SRH failed to click as a unit.

They are currently languishing at the bottom of the points table. But Kumar is hopeful of its team turning a corner under the leadership of Kane Williamson. Since the 2016 season, SRH has without fail qualified for the playoffs. But it will take some doing for them in the second half of the 14th edition of IPL, which starts from September 19.