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Bhuvneshwar Kumar Returns to India T20I Squad for New Zealand
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been picked to play for India again in T20 cricket.
He earned the chance after taking many wickets for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL.
India will play five T20 matches against New Zealand.
Varun Chakaravarthy is also back in the squad, while Jasprit Bumrah is not included.
India has also chosen a team called India A to play three longer matches against New Zealand A. Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar made that team after taking wickets in the Irani Cup.
Rishabh Pant is included if he passes a fitness check.
The India A matches are set for late October and November.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 36, was recalled to India’s T20I squad for the five-match New Zealand series after nearly four years away.
He took 28 wickets at an economy rate of 7.95 in IPL 2026 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Varun Chakaravarthy also returned to the T20I squad, replacing Ravi Bishnoi; Jasprit Bumrah was left out.
Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar were selected for India A’s multi-day matches against New Zealand A after strong Irani Cup performances.
Rishabh Pant was included in the India A squad subject to fitness clearance; its three matches are scheduled for October 27, November 3 and November 10.
- Who
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Varun Chakaravarthy were recalled to India’s T20I squad; Akash Deep, Mukesh Kumar and Rishabh Pant are among the India A selections.
- What
- The BCCI announced India’s T20I squad for New Zealand and a 15-member India A squad for multi-day matches against New Zealand A.
- Where
- The tour is in New Zealand. The first T20I is at Hagley Oval in Christchurch; India A’s first and third matches are in Lincoln and its second is in Christchurch.
- When
- The first T20I is scheduled for October 22. India A’s matches are scheduled for October 27, November 3 and November 10.
- Why
- Bhuvneshwar’s recall follows impressive domestic and IPL performances; Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar were selected after strong Irani Cup performances.
Key facts
- Bhuvneshwar’s IPL 2026 record
- 28 wickets at an economy rate of 7.95 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
- Bhuvneshwar’s last India T20I
- New Zealand, November 2022.
- India T20I series
- Five matches; the first is scheduled for October 22 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
- T20I squad changes
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Varun Chakaravarthy are included; Varun replaces Ravi Bishnoi, and Jasprit Bumrah is left out.
- India A matches
- Three multi-day matches against New Zealand A, scheduled for October 27, November 3 and November 10.
- Irani Cup performances
- Akash Deep took six wickets and Mukesh Kumar took eight as Rest of India won by 167 runs.
- Pant’s selection
- Rishabh Pant is included in India A’s squad subject to fitness clearance.
Sources
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