Regulars Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami should be back by the time India begin their T20 World Cup campaign in Australia in October-November. Even then, the role of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, if he stays fit and free of injury, will be critical as he has been one of India’s most disciplined bowlers in the shortest format.

And of course, being the senior-most bowler in the current side led by Rishabh Pant, the seamer’s performance will be key for the hosts to bounce back in the ongoing series versus South Africa.

Bhuvneshwar is quite clear about his job. “My target is not any different. I just have to bowl in the same way as in the Powerplay or in the slog overs.

“Yes, in the absence of them (regular bowlers), I’ll try to take up responsibility and focus on improving in every game going into the World Cup,” he said on the eve of the second T20I in Cuttack.

The senior pro, however, isn’t reading too much into India’s inability at the Kotla. “It was the first match of the series and everybody came out after a long IPL. Almost everyone in the team had a good IPL, so they know what needs to be done.

“We hope to improve, bowl well and level the series. We still have four matches to go. There’s enough scope to bounce back,” he added.

Bhuvneshwar also stood behind Pant. “He’s a young captain and it was his first international match as captain. I’m sure he will try to do better. Our bowling did not go off well and that let him down. If we had done well, then you would have hailed his decision-making skills,” the 32-year-old said.