Bhuvneshwar's T20I Return : A Road to the 2027 WC?

It is hardly a surprise given the pacer's form in the last two IPLs with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where he has bagged 45 wickets, including 28 in 2026 at an average of 17.89.

More importantly, he has displayed a return to form that has seen him rediscover the pace and efficiency that once made him one of India's most dependable new-ball and death bowlers.

Could he force his way back into the ODI plans?

The return of Bhuvneshwar to the national set-up has inevitably led to questions of his potential return to the ODI fold for the 2027 World Cup.

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin feels that the prospect cannot be ruled out, given that a strong T20I series could push the pacer right back into the selectors' sights and even see him pair up with Bumrah as new-ball options for the ODI World Cup.

The scenario is not impossible, given that players have been given opportunities in one format based on their performances in others.

But with his last ODI appearance coming in January 2022 and a List-A game for UP in December 2023, the pacer is potentially in danger of falling out of the ODI plans altogether.

It would require a strong Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign

The pacer's last ODI appearance was in January 2022, and his last List-A appearance for UP came in December 2023.

Since then, he has focused almost exclusively on T20 cricket, and with the potential dearth of 50-over opportunities, this could impact his chances of featuring at the ODI World Cup if he wants to return to the ODI fold.

If he is to make it to the ODI World Cup, it may be in the Vijay Hazare Trophy that he will have to prove his mettle as a 10-over bowler.

But selectors have other ideas

Former India selector Saba Karim feels that the pacer is unlikely to be considered by the selectors as a prospect for the 2027 ODI World Cup, given that there are a number of young fast bowlers being groomed for the format.

Karim also feels that it is likely the selectors will look to identify a core group of pace bowlers for the ODIs and the T20 World Cup in 2028.

However, Bhuvneshwar's experience will be valuable, especially given that Bumrah has had injury problems.

What comes next for Bhuvneshwar?

For now, the pacer is set to face New Zealand, and his return to form in the T20 space could see him back in the ODI plans, but an ODI World Cup appearance will require more than his T20I heroics.