After two outstanding IPL seasons, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has earned his way back into the Indian cricket team. With Jasprit Bumrah absent from the ongoing five-match T20I series against New Zealand, the selectors turned to the experienced pacer, handing him an international comeback after nearly four years.
However, Bhuvneshwar is yet to replicate his impressive IPL form on the international stage. Across his first three matches of the series, the right-arm fast bowler has conceded 139 runs in 12 overs while picking up just one wicket. His performances have fallen short of expectations, particularly after his recent success in the IPL.
Despite the mixed results, Bhuvneshwar has made it clear that returning to the Indian team was never his primary objective during his time away from international cricket. Instead, the veteran pacer focused on making the most of every opportunity, tournament and challenge that came his way.
🚨 Back in India colours after four years, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is keeping his feet on the ground. With domestic cricket on the horizon, the veteran pacer is focused on making the most of every opportunity rather than looking too far ahead.
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Speaking to reporters after the third T20I in Wellington on Tuesday, the 36-year-old admitted that representing India again was a dream, although he never actively pursued a comeback. “To tell you the truth, I did not chase (India return). Yes, it is a dream. I am not saying that I am not happy. I am very happy. To play for India, to represent India, it is a matter of pride,” he said.
Bhuvneshwar’s return to the national setup follows two productive IPL campaigns with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). He claimed 17 wickets in IPL 2025 before delivering an even stronger performance with 28 wickets in the 2026 edition. His contributions helped RCB secure consecutive IPL titles and strengthened his case for an India recall.
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The veteran credited those performances for opening the door to his international comeback, while stressing that his focus remained on improving his game and fitness.
“For four years, whatever was coming in front of me – tournaments, challenges, whatever – about cricket, about fitness, whatever else, I kept doing it. I never thought that I would want to play cricket for (just for India) comeback,” Bhuvneshwar Kumar explained.
He added that his performances over the previous two IPL seasons played a major role in his return to the national team. With India having secured an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match T20I series, the team management faces a decision over whether to continue backing Bhuvneshwar in the remaining fixtures.
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India bowling coach Morne Morkel has already defended the pacer’s performances, pointing to the challenge of transitioning from domestic competition to international cricket with limited preparation time. Morkel noted that although Bhuvneshwar had trained before his selection, the demanding schedule left him with little time to prepare for the intensity of international cricket, where even small margins can make a significant difference.
