Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s surprise return to India’s T20I squad after a four-year break could be seen as a step towards his return to India’s ODI plans for the 2027 World Cup.
The 36-year-old was included in India’s five-match T20I series against New Zealand side after a stellar IPL 2026 campaign which saw him take 28 wickets for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
IPL Form Keeps Bhuvneshwar in the Mix
Bhuvneshwar Kumar was one of the standout performers for RCB in their second successive IPL title winning campaign as he picked up 28 wickets, finishing second to Rajasthan’s Kyle Jamieson, in an IPL which saw three players claim the Purple Cap.
Since his last appearance for India in November 2022, Bhuvneshwar has taken 72 IPL wickets – the most by any bowler during that time.
Bhuvneshwar had previously confirmed that he stopped setting long-term goals after his India career appeared to be going away from him.
“I am not thinking about a comeback for India,” he said during the IPL 2026 season, saying that he had stopped making long-term plans as they had not worked out for him in the past.
India Still Searching for Pace Options
Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s recall comes as India’s ODI bowling attack has been plagued with concerns.
India recently clinched a three-match ODI series against the West Indies 2-1 but conceded 1,038 runs in the entire series and the West Indies’ chase of 352 in the final ODI was their highest successful ODI run chase.
Pace options including Gurnoor Brar, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Anshul Kamboj and Aquib Nabi failed to leave a mark during the series.
India’s bowlers have an average of 41.86 in 12 ODIs this year – the worst among all full-member sides, while their batting average of 50.28 is the best.
With Jasprit Bumrah remaining a mainstay for India, the selectors will need dependable options to support him.
Fitness Could Be the Biggest Question
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has not played an ODI for India since January 2022 and has limited his appearances in recent years to T20 cricket and his last Vijay Hazare Trophy appearance was in 2023.
Therefore, the New Zealand T20Is will be a good test for him.
If India are to consider him for the 50-over World Cup, his ability to play for longer periods without tiring will be paramount but for Bhuvneshwar another World Cup is an enticing prospect.
“My body is ready,” he said, adding that he continues to train without specifically keeping the 50-over World Cup in his mind.
Bhuvneshwar also announced that if he was selected, he would be happy while if not he would not be disappointed, for now, his chances at the T20I matches gives him another opportunity to prove his worth.