Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been named in India’s T20I squad for the five-match series against New Zealand, ending an absence from international cricket of nearly four years. The BCCI senior selection committee announced the squad on October 6, 2026, following a selection meeting held between October 5 and 11.
The news drew a warm response from former India all-rounder Suresh Raina, who took to social media to congratulate his former Uttar Pradesh teammate on the recall. Raina and Bhuvneshwar Kumar shared a dressing room for Uttar Pradesh in domestic cricket before both went on to represent India at the highest level.
“Welcome back, Bhuvi! 🇮🇳💙 So happy to see one of India’s finest and most skillful bowlers getting his recognition again. The discipline, hard work and resilience he has shown over the years is truly inspiring. From Uttar Pradesh to the IPL, and now back in the Indian T20 side — this comeback is thoroughly deserved. 👏 Keep inspiring, @BhuviOfficial Your journey is a reminder that hard work always finds its way back. 🙌🏽🇮🇳,” Raina wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Welcome back, Bhuvi! 🇮🇳💙
So happy to see one of India’s finest and most skillful bowlers getting his recognition again. The discipline, hard work and resilience he has shown over the years is truly inspiring.
From Uttar Pradesh to the IPL, and now back in the Indian T20 side —… pic.twitter.com/k3PoSuPjOM
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) October 7, 2026
Why has Bhuvneshwar Kumar earned his India recall?
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who was born on February 5, 1990, in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, is 36 years old. His last appearance for India in T20I cricket came on November 22, 2022, against New Zealand, making this recall his first in the format in close to four years.
His performances in IPL 2026 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru were central to his return to national reckoning. Bhuvneshwar took 28 wickets in the tournament at an economy rate of 7.95 and played a part in RCB defending their title. That form placed him back in the frame for international selection.
Across his T20I career, Bhuvneshwar has played 87 matches for India, taking 90 wickets at an average of 23.10 and an economy rate of 6.96, figures that underline his consistency as a white-ball bowler over many years.
What does India’s T20I squad for the New Zealand series look like?
The five-match T20I series against New Zealand begins on October 22, 2026, at Hagley Oval in Christchurch and runs until November 1, 2026. Shreyas Iyer will captain the side, with Tilak Varma named as vice-captain.
Bhuvneshwar’s inclusion is among the more notable selections in the squad, given the length of his absence from the format and his age. His return alongside younger pace options such as Mayank Yadav and Arshdeep Singh gives India a varied bowling attack for the series in New Zealand.
India’s full T20I squad for the New Zealand tour:
Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan (Wicketkeeper), Tilak Varma (Vice-Captain), Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav.
