Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s impressive performances in domestic T20 cricket have once again sparked discussions about his return to the Indian national team. The veteran fast bowler featured in all 16 matches for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) during the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season and claimed 28 wickets, playing a crucial role in helping Rajat Patidar’s side successfully defend their title.
Bhuvneshwar finished the IPL 2026 season as the second-highest wicket-taker, strengthening calls for his return to India’s white-ball squads. However, despite his outstanding campaign, the 36-year-old was overlooked for the three-match T20I series and two-match ODI series that India played after the IPL.
His continued absence has surprised several former cricketers, experts and fans, who believe the experienced seamer still has plenty to offer. Bhuvneshwar himself recently opened up about his desire to represent India again.
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In a viral video shared by 2sloggers on Instagram, Bhuvneshwar was told that fans wanted to see him make a comeback to Team India. The Meerut-born pacer responded candidly, saying, “Mann toh mera bhi hai” (I want to as well).
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The anchor then highlighted Bhuvneshwar’s four-wicket haul for 10 runs in the UPT20 League and suggested that a similar performance in an India jersey would be ideal. Bhuvneshwar replied, “Ho jayega toh achhi hai” (It will be good if that happens).
Bhuvneshwar remains the only pacer to have taken more than 200 wickets in IPL history and has represented India across all three formats. However, his last international appearance came in November 2022.
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Since joining RCB at the IPL 2025 mega auction, Bhuvneshwar has taken 45 wickets in 30 matches. He was also instrumental for Lucknow Falcons in the UPT20 League, guiding them to a runners-up finish. Bhuvneshwar played all 11 matches for Lucknow and took 14 wickets. His standout performance came against Meerut Mavericks in the first playoff, where he returned excellent figures of 4/10 at Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium on September 3.
