Bhuvneshwar Kumar earns surprise India recall after 4-year absence for New Zealand T20Is
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has earned a recall to India's T20I squad for the New Zealand tour after a gap of over four years, bolstered by stellar IPL performances.
Veteran Indian fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar has earned a surprise recall to the national side after a gap of over four years. The 36-year-old Meerut-born seamer has been named in India's T20I squad for the upcoming tour of New Zealand, which gets underway later this month.
Bhuvneshwar last played for India at the 2022 T20 World Cup, after which selection committees shifted focus toward younger options. Reflecting on his long absence, the pacer noted that he made peace with the situation once he realized the team's transition plans.
Despite being out of the national setup, the experienced seamer continued to dominate in the Indian Premier League. Since 2023, he has scalped 72 wickets in the tournament—the most by any bowler—at an average of 26.97 and an economy rate of 8.7.
His standout campaigns for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where he picked up 45 wickets in 30 matches across two title-winning seasons, kept him in the national conversation. Most recently, he snared 28 wickets in the 2026 season at an average of 17.89, narrowly missing the Purple Cap by a single scalp.
According to reports, the selection dynamic shifted following the departure of former chief selector Ajit Agarkar. Central Zone selector Rudra Pratap Singh successfully convinced Pragyan Ojha and the panel regarding the immense value of Bhuvneshwar's experience in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah.
Bumrah has been rested for the T20I leg as team management prioritizes the upcoming ODI and Test series in New Zealand. Bhuvneshwar's inclusion will provide vital guidance to a young fast-bowling unit featuring emerging contenders like Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav.
India's five-match T20I series runs from October 22 to November 1, with matches scheduled across Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland, and Hamilton. The visitors will also play five ODIs and two Tests following the conclusion of the T20I matches.