That long break is finally set to end, with Bhuvneshwar being named in India’s T20I squad for the series against New Zealand. The report stated that the team management wants to assess his fitness before moving forward. From the time Bhuvneshwar Kumar picked up 28 wickets in 16 matches in IPL 2026 – the highest by an Indian in this year’s edition – there were growing murmurs about the seamer’s continued absence from the national side. Bhuvneshwar, who has taken 63 wickets in 21 Tests, 141 in 121 ODIs and 90 in 87 T20Is, last played an international match in November 2022. The series will begin on October 22.
There are “conversations” around making Bhuvneshwar part of India’s plans for the 2027 World Cup, especially with problem of balance in the bowling, according to a report in The Indian Express .
A strong run in the Indian Premier League over the last two seasons has helped the experienced seamer force his way back into the national setup. The 36-year-old last represented India in the T20 World Cup semi-final against England at the Adelaide Oval in November 2022.
