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STUMP VISION OCTOBER 23, 2026 | The Indian Eye 59

Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s

comeback shows experience still

has a place in Indian cricket

After nearly four years outside the national team, the veteran seamer’s return reflects the value of

discipline, consistency and a skill set that remains relevant despite the rise of younger fast bowlers

OUR BUREAU one behind Kagiso Rabada in the
race for the Purple Cap. Across the
Mumbai
two seasons, he collected 45 wickets
huvneshwar Kumar’s return to as RCB won consecutive titles. The
India’s T20 international set- numbers made a strong case for re-
Bup is more than a reward for considering a bowler whose skills had
an impressive Indian Premier League never entirely disappeared.
(IPL) campaign. It is also a reminder Bhuvneshwar, for his part, has
that in a game increasingly driven by been careful not to present his return
pace, power and youth, experience as a campaign against the selectors.
and the ability to move the ball can Speaking to Sports Tak in August,
still make a difference. before his recall, he said his priority
The 36-year-old fast bowler was was simply to play cricket and help
recalled to India’s T20I squad for the his team win. “If the call comes,
upcoming five-match series against why would I refuse? I am absolutely
New Zealand after being out of the ready,” he said.
national team since November 2022. His ambitions may extend be-
His selection follows two impres- yond the immediate T20I opportu-
sive seasons with Royal Challengers nity. Bhuvneshwar has expressed a
Bengaluru (RCB), including a ca- desire to play in another World Cup,
reer-best 28 wickets in the 2026 IPL, although a return to India’s ODI
in which he played a key role in the plans would require the team man-
franchise’s successful title defence. agement to assess whether his body
The recall has also been wel- can withstand the demands of the 50-
comed by former players. Former over format. He has said he would
India batter Suresh Raina praised welcome selection but would not be
the fast bowler’s recent work, saying, disappointed if it did not happen.
“Hard work always pays off,” and That distinction is important. A
pointing to his performances in do- recall for the New Zealand T20I se-
mestic cricket and the IPL. ries is recognition of present form,
India batting coach Sitanshu Ko- not a guarantee of a sustained inter-
tak offered a more tactical explana- national career or a place in India’s
tion for the selection. “You can’t beat plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
experience,” he said, recalling how Bhuvneshwar will have to demon-
India’s bowling attack had been test- strate that he can translate his do-
ed in England in the absence of Jas- mestic success to the international
prit Bumrah. “The young bowlers are stage and remain fit enough to con-
good, they are performing well and tribute consistently.
getting selected, but at some stage Bhuvneshwar has expressed a desire to play in another World Cup, although a return to India’s For India, his return is an oppor-
you also need some experience.” ODI plans would require the team management to assess whether his body can withstand the tunity to test whether experience can
The comments underline a prob- demands of the 50-over format (ANI file photo) complement a younger attack at a
lem India have faced in building a time when the demands on fast bowl-
dependable pace attack: finding the ers are growing. For Bhuvneshwar,
right balance between developing where conditions can favour seam sence raised doubts about whether it is a chance to turn an impressive
young bowlers and retaining experi- bowling. the selectors had moved on perma- late-career revival into something
enced campaigners who can handle Bhuvneshwar’s career, however, nently from a bowler who had once more lasting.
pressure. Bhuvneshwar’s value lies has also been shaped by questions been a mainstay of India’s limit- After almost four years away, the
not in raw speed but in his control about fitness and longevity. His last ed-overs attack. recall itself is a significant achieve-
of line and length, movement off the Test appearance came in January The resurgence has been built ment. What follows will determine
pitch and ability to make the new 2018, his last ODI in January 2022, largely through his IPL performanc- whether it becomes a brief return or
ball swing. Those qualities could be and his final T20I before the recall es. After taking 17 wickets in 2025, the beginning of another chapter in
particularly useful in New Zealand, was in November 2022. The long ab- he claimed 28 in 2026, finishing just his international career.

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