Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s return is “good for Indian cricket”, says R. Ashwin

Bhuvneshwar Kumar took 28 wickets in 17 matches in IPL 2026, as RCB won its second consecutive title. | Photo Credit: AP

BCCI’s senior selection committee has decided to bring Bhuvneshwar Kumar back to the T20I fold. This selection has brought about a discussion on form versus continuity in the national team squad.

He is set to feature in his first T20I match since the 2022 series against New Zealand. However, it doesn’t mean a lack of match sharpness since 2022, as he has consistently performed for both Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL.

In the last two IPL seasons with RCB, his performances have earned praise from all quarters, including winning back-to-back titles and a great IPL 2026. This is the form that has earned his recall to the national side.

Ravichandran Ashwin, on his YouTube podcast ‘Ash ki Baat’, said: “Bhuvneshwar Kumar broke down the door to come back to the national side. He bowled brilliantly in back-to-back IPL seasons and took 28 wickets in 17 matches in the last season; that is just incredible, and through his performances he made the ball do the talking”

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Ashwin said, “Since RCB signed him, he has put in the hard work behind closed doors to match all of RCB’s protocols to work on his physical attributes”. Ashwin also added, “Bhuvneshwar is India’s finest new-ball bowler in the last couple of decades, barring Jasprit Bumrah, because he swings the ball both ways. He has so much skill. This is good for indian cricket.”

The former Indian spinner believes that “If he (Bhuvneshwar) comes into this (New Zealand) tour and performs well, I don’t see any reason why he couldn’t come back into the ODI side as well. Especially if he is physically fit. Because the ODI format provides two new balls, he will be able to bowl with the new ball for most of his spell”

Ashwin said that Ajit Agarkar moving on as India men’s chief selector could have something to do with the decision to bring back the veteran. “He (Agarkar) might have wanted to take a new direction and might have wanted to test out some of the newer players.”

Ashwin also mentioned that Bhuvneshwar’s inclusion in the T20I side could be motivation and a blueprint for Mohammed Shami to get back to the Indian cricket team as well.