Veteran India seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar is set to return to the national team after nearly four years, with the 36-year-old named in India’s 16-member squad for the five-match T20I series against New Zealand. Bhuvneshwar last played for India in November 2022, coincidentally against New Zealand, before falling out of the national setup.
Bhuvneshwar’s recall comes after two productive Indian Premier League seasons with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, during which he played an important role in the franchise’s back-to-back title-winning campaigns and claimed 45 wickets.
His selection also comes in the first squad announced under the newly formed selection committee, with former India spinner Pragyan Ojha serving as interim chairman. With Jasprit Bumrah rested for the T20I leg, Bhuvneshwar’s experience and ability to extract swing with the new ball give India another option in the pace attack.
Bhuvneshwar’s return after four-year absence
Bhuvneshwar’s last international appearance came against New Zealand in November 2022. He has since continued to play domestic white-ball cricket and remained a regular presence in the IPL.
His return to the India setup comes at 36, with the seamer now bringing extensive experience to a bowling group that also includes Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav.
45 wickets in two IPL seasons for RCB
Bhuvneshwar’s performances for Royal Challengers Bengaluru have been central to his return. He picked up 45 wickets across the 2025 and 2026 IPL seasons as RCB won consecutive titles.
His ability to operate effectively with the new ball remained an important feature of his bowling. In the 2026 season, he claimed 28 wickets at an economy rate of 7.95, according to reports.
The two IPL campaigns gave Bhuvneshwar an extended run at the highest level of T20 cricket and allowed him to remain competitive for an India recall despite his prolonged absence.
Bhuvneshwar brings swing and experience
Bhuvneshwar’s principal strength remains his ability to move the white ball in the early overs. His experience of bowling in powerplay situations gives India a different option from the pace and aggression offered by some of the younger members of the attack.
He has played 21 Tests, 121 ODIs and 87 T20Is for India. In T20Is, he has taken 90 wickets, placing him seventh among India’s leading wicket-takers in the format despite his four-year absence.
With Bumrah rested for the T20I leg of the New Zealand tour, Bhuvneshwar could provide experience alongside Arshdeep and the younger Mayank and Prince.
A senior figure among India’s younger pacers
Bhuvneshwar’s return also adds experience to an attack that contains two of India’s emerging pace options in Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav. Mayank has been viewed as a long-term option in India’s T20 plans, while Prince is also being developed as part of the next generation of fast bowlers.
Bhuvneshwar’s international experience, particularly his understanding of new-ball bowling and conditions, gives India an experienced campaigner alongside the younger members of the attack.
New Zealand vs India T20I series schedule
India will play five T20Is against New Zealand from October 22 to November 1. The first two matches will be played in Christchurch, followed by the third T20I in Wellington, the fourth in Auckland and the series finale in Hamilton.
India’s T20I squad for New Zealand: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Tilak Varma (vice-captain), Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav.
