Bhuvneshwar Kumar has returned to India’s T20I squad for the five-match tour of New Zealand after the BCCI senior selection committee named the 36-year-old fast bowler to the 16-member squad announced on October 6. The series begins on October 22 at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval, marking a significant opportunity for the veteran pacer to prove his fitness and form at international level.
Ravichandran Ashwin has backed Bhuvneshwar Kumar to make a comeback to the ODI setup if he impresses during the New Zealand T20I series. The former India spinner believes the selectors will closely monitor Bhuvneshwar’s performance during the tour, and if the right-arm seamer impresses, he could join the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj in India’s squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
“He is going to New Zealand now. I am telling you, if he does well, everyone will immediately say, just take him for the ODI team as well. The selectors will be watching very closely. If he swings the ball and shows decent fitness, nobody can stop Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar from sitting together on that flight to the World Cup and Bhuvneshwar bowling the first ball of the World Cup,” Ashwin said, as quoted by YouTube.
Bhuvneshwar’s last India appearance came in New Zealand in November 2022, soon after the T20 World Cup campaign. His absence from the international setup lasted nearly four years, making the upcoming series a crucial platform for his potential return to ODI cricket ahead of the World Cup 2027. The recall represents a significant vote of confidence from the selection committee.
IPL 2026 performance earns Bhuvneshwar T20I recall
Bhuvneshwar finished IPL 2026 with an impressive performance for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He claimed 28 wickets from 16 games and helped RCB defend their title, ending the season with an economy rate of 7.95. His standout IPL campaign formed the basis for his recall to the T20I squad after his extended absence from international cricket.
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Bhuvneshwar has played 87 T20Is, taking 90 wickets at an average of 23.10 and an economy rate of 6.96. His career record in the shortest format demonstrates his experience and capability as a death-overs bowler and new-ball operator. When it comes to ODI cricket, Bhuvneshwar has played 121 matches, picking up 141 wickets at an average of 35.11 and an economy rate of 5.08.
