Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Vihari Urges India to Bring Bhuvneshwar Back After ODI Loss
India scored 351 runs in the third ODI against the West Indies.
The West Indies scored enough to win by five wickets, finishing their chase in 48.2 overs.
Hanuma Vihari said India should consider bringing experienced bowlers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami back to the ODI team.
He said India needs more options and should not depend only on Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya for wickets.
Vihari called the result a warning before the 2027 World Cup.
Bhuvneshwar last played an ODI for India in 2022.
He has taken 45 IPL wickets across the 2025 and 2026 seasons for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Bhuvneshwar has said he would play for India if he received a call-up.
India lost the third ODI to the West Indies by five wickets after failing to defend 351 runs.
The West Indies chased the target in 48.2 overs, completing what the News18 article called their highest-ever chase.
Hanuma Vihari urged India to bring Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami back into the ODI setup, citing the need for experienced backup bowlers.
Vihari warned against relying on Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya for breakthroughs and called the bowling performance a wake-up call ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
Bhuvneshwar, who last played an ODI for India in 2022, said he would play for India if selected; he took 45 IPL wickets for Royal Challengers Bengaluru across 2025 and 2026.
- Who
- India, the West Indies, Hanuma Vihari, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar; Vihari also recommended Mohammed Shami.
- What
- After India lost the third ODI while defending 351, Vihari called for Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami to return to the ODI setup; Bhuvneshwar said he would play for India if selected.
- When
- The News18 article was published October 4, 2026; the match is identified as the third ODI, but no separate match date is specified.
- Where
- The second account places the third ODI in New Chandigarh.
- Why
- Vihari said India needs experienced bowling backup and should not rely on a small number of bowlers for breakthroughs ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
Vihari's call for experienced bowlers
Selection remains unresolved
Who should provide bowling backup
Vihari's call for experienced bowlers
Vihari urged India to recall Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami, arguing that experience would offer stability and options for breakthroughs.
Selection remains unresolved
The articles report no response from India’s selectors or team management to Vihari’s suggestion; Bhuvneshwar said he would play if selected.
Assessment of the bowling attack
Vihari's call for experienced bowlers
Vihari called the failure to defend 351 a wake-up call and said the attack should be investigated, warning that the team was going backwards.
Selection remains unresolved
The articles provide no counterstatement from the team; they report Vihari’s criticism and the match result.
- Third ODI result
- West Indies beat India by five wickets.
- India's total
- 351 runs.
- West Indies' chase
- Completed in 48.2 overs; News18 described it as the West Indies' highest-ever chase.
- Vihari's recommendation
- Bring Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami back into the ODI setup.
- Bhuvneshwar's last ODI
- He last played an ODI for India in 2022.
- Recent IPL record
- 45 wickets in 30 matches for Royal Challengers Bengaluru across the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
- Bhuvneshwar's stated position
- He said he would play for India if selected.
- World Cup context
- Vihari cited the 2027 World Cup, which the article said was less than a year away.
