WATCH: Bhubaneshwar Kumar making a return to red-ball cricket with an 8/41 against Bengal in Ranji Trophy 2024

Bhuvneshwar Kumar last played a red-ball match back in January 2018 when India won that historic test match in Johannesburg against South Africa. He was the player of the match with a bowling figure of 4/83 in the match to go with his 30 runs with the bat in the first inning.

Since then, it has been six years since the swing master of Indian cricket played in any long-format game for India or any state. In Ranji Trophy 2024, Bhubaneshwar Kumar decided to make his return to first-class cricket for Uttar Pradesh, and boy, he made a solid return to it.

Also Read: Ranji Trophy 2024: Bengal bowlers dominate UP at their home; UP all out for 60 in the first inning

At the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur, Bhubaneshwar Kumar took advantage of the green pitch and returned with his career-best first-class bowling figure of 8/41 in the first inning.

UP after getting bundled out for 60 in the first inning needed a solid comeback from one of its senior pros. Bhubaneshwar first removed Sourav Paul, who had made 95 in the last match, with an awaygoing delivery and then trapped Sudip Gharami in front of the wicket with an inswinger.

Also Read: Ranji Trophy 2024: Pujara proves a point to selectors

After sensing blood, Bhubi only needed 12.3 overs to complete his 13th first-class five-wicket haul, including a perfect inswinger to get in-form Anustup Majumder on the first day.

On the second day, he first got the better of a set Shreyansh Ghosh, and then trapped Pradipta Pramanik in front of the stump followed by an outswinger to get Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal clean bowled.

With this 8/41, Bhubaneshwar Kumar now has earned his best bowling figure in first-class cricket and will surely tell the selectors that he is ready to take the red cherry for India if needed.

Full video: Bhubaneshwar Kumar's 8/41 vs Bengal

EIGHT-WICKET HAUL Special! 🙌🙌

Brilliant Bhuvi 👏

2⃣2⃣ overs
5⃣ maidens
4⃣1⃣ runs
8⃣ wickets@BhuviOfficial bowled a magnificent spell to spearhead Uttar Pradesh's fightback against Bengal.

Relive his magical spell 🔽https://t.co/kpv9eDIhR3@IDFCFIRSTBank | #RanjiTrophy

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) January 13, 2024