Former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar believes Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s return to the Indian T20I setup should have happened much earlier. The veteran pacer has finally earned a recall for the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand after spending nearly four years away from international cricket. Bhuvneshwar’s comeback has been driven by his outstanding performances for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the last two IPL seasons.

After playing a crucial role in RCB’s title-winning campaigns, the experienced pacer has once again found himself in India’s plans. However, Manjrekar feels his performances in IPL 2026 were good enough to earn an immediate India call-up. Bhuvneshwar Kumar last represented India in November 2022, featuring in a T20I against New Zealand in Napier. He subsequently fell out of the national setup and remained away from international cricket for almost four years. His consistent performances in the IPL eventually forced the selectors to reconsider his position.

The pacer took 17 wickets during IPL 2025 before producing an even stronger campaign in 2026. He claimed 28 wickets in 16 matches at an average of 17.89 and an economy rate of 7.95. He finished just one wicket behind Purple Cap winner Kagiso Rabada. Bhuvneshwar’s consistency played an important role in RCB’s successful title defence. His ability to contribute with both the new and old ball, while maintaining control during the middle and death overs, made him one of the most dependable bowlers in the tournament.

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Sanjay Manjrekar believes a bowler producing such numbers in Indian conditions deserves an immediate opportunity at the international level. “If any bowler has a great IPL, I believe he should be picked straightaway into the Indian team. That’s purely because having a great season with the ball in the IPL in Indian conditions, where everything is in so much in favour of the batters, proves that any bowler who does well looks like a great achievement,” Manjrekar said in a video shared on Instagram.

He also admitted that he expected Bhuvneshwar to be recalled immediately after IPL 2026.

“His selection is a really good one. In fact, I thought he would get picked straightaway after the last IPL, purely because he was so good with economy and wicket-taking, while being consistent right through. He was a game-changer with the ball,” he added.

Manjrekar also highlighted Bhuvneshwar’s cricketing intelligence and ability to adapt to modern T20 batting. The pacer has taken 90 wickets in 87 T20Is for India at an average of 23.10 and an economy rate of 6.96. “Bhuvneshwar’s old-school thinking and the cricket smarts he has, along with the skills that are relevant against today’s modern-day batters and power hitters, are going to be a great combination for India,” Manjrekar said.

He further praised Bhuvneshwar’s ability to bowl a disciplined line, attack the stumps and make life difficult for aggressive batters.

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With the New Zealand T20I series approaching, Bhuvneshwar now has an opportunity to prove that his IPL form can translate into international cricket. Manjrekar believes the selectors have made a sensible decision by bringing the experienced pacer back into the Indian setup.