He scored 58 at Trent Bridge, 2014, in the first innings, and then a vital unbeaten 63 in the second as India stuttered before saving the match. In between he had picked up 5 for 85.
In the second Test at Lord's, he hit 36 crucial runs, adding 90 with Ajinkya Rahane. With the ball he got 6 for 82 and followed it up with a vital 52 in India's second innings. India won at the hallowed ground after 28 years.
Michael Vaughan tweeted: "Let us ban Kumar, just for being so damned good."
Bhuvneshwar Kumar may not have continued in the same vein, indeed anyone would have struggled to do so. But he remains an asset to the Indian side. Born February 5, 1990, he still has many years of cricket left.
Text: Arunabha Sengupta
Illustration: Maha