Bhuvneshwar didn't realise importance of adding pace to his bowling early in career

New Delhi, May 28: Indian and Sunrisers Hyderabad seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar says he never realised the importance of adding pace to his bowling early in his career.

While he acknowledge that he didn't add pace in his formative years, Bhuvneshwar said once he added pace to his skill set, it helped him "maintain that swing" which keeps batsmen guessing.

"To be honest, first couple of years I didn't realise pace is something that needs to be added," Bhuvneshwar said in a video posted by his IPL team SunRisers Hyderabad on its twitter handle.

"As I kept playing, I realised with swing I need to improve my pace because bowling in late 120kph or just 130kph, batsmen were adjusting to the swing. So, I wanted to increase the pace, but I didn't know how to do it..."

The 31-year-old has so far taken 63 wickets in 21 Tests, 138 and 45 scalps in 117 ODIs and 48 T20Is.

"Fortunately, I was able to improve the pace and that really helped me in the later stages. So yes, when you have pace, not the express 140-plus, but bowling in the mid-130kph helps maintaining that swing and keep the batsman guessing," he said.

Bhuvneshwar has been troubled by injuries and was not considered for the upcoming World Test Championship final against New Zealand in Southampton and the five-match Test series against England.

There were reports that Bhuneshwar did not want to play Test cricket. The pacer, however, made it clear a few weeks back that he is keen to make a comeback to the red-ball squad.

"There have been articles about me not wanting to play Test cricket. Just to clarify, I have always prepared myself for all three formats irrespective of the team selection and will continue to do the same. Suggestion - please don't write your assumptions based on "sources"!" he wrote on Twitter.

(With Agency inputs)