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Bhuvneshwar Kumar Open to India Return After IPL Resurgence
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is a fast bowler who has played very well in the last two IPL seasons.
He took 45 wickets for Royal Challengers Bengaluru during those seasons.
His performances have led many people to ask for his return to the Indian team.
Bhuvneshwar last played for India in 2022.
He said he is not playing cricket just to prove that he deserves another chance.
However, he would be happy if India selected him again.
He also said he once expected to play in upcoming series after receiving a call.
Later, he understood that a return was not certain and made peace with it.
His family helped him deal with that disappointment.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has taken 45 wickets across RCB’s last two IPL seasons.
He claimed 17 wickets during RCB’s 2025 title-winning campaign and 28 in the following season.
The 36-year-old last played for India in November 2022.
Bhuvneshwar said he is not trying to prove anything but would be happy to represent India again.
He said his family helped him accept that an international comeback might not happen.
- Who
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru fast bowler, is at the center of the discussion.
- What
- He said he would be happy to play for India again after strong performances in the last two IPL seasons.
- Where
- He discussed his India prospects on Jatin Sapru’s YouTube channel and recalled the 2022 T20 World Cup in Adelaide.
- When
- He last represented India in November 2022; his recent IPL performances came in 2025 and the following season.
- Why
- His recent wicket-taking form has prompted calls for his international comeback, while India’s pace attack is described as lacking experience apart from Jasprit Bumrah.
Calls for a Comeback
Bhuvneshwar’s Measured Stance
Meaning of his IPL form
Calls for a Comeback
His 45 wickets across two successful IPL seasons, including 17 in 2025 and 28 in the following season, have led to strong demands for an India return.
Bhuvneshwar’s Measured Stance
Bhuvneshwar said he is not playing to prove anything, although he would be happy to represent India if selected.
Expectations about selection
Calls for a Comeback
With the ODI World Cup approaching and India’s pace attack described as inexperienced beyond Jasprit Bumrah, supporters see a possible role for the veteran bowler.
Bhuvneshwar’s Measured Stance
Bhuvneshwar said he no longer waits for the next series and has accepted that selection may not happen.
Key facts
- Recent IPL wickets
- 45 wickets across RCB’s last two triumphant IPL seasons
- 2025 IPL wickets
- 17 wickets for RCB
- Following-season wickets
- 28 wickets for RCB
- Last India appearance
- November 2022, in a T20I against New Zealand in Napier
- Age
- 36
- International stance
- He would be happy to play for India again but is not playing to prove anything
- 2022 World Cup view
- He told his wife, Nupur, that the tournament could be his last global ICC event
Quotes
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Indian fast bowler and Royal Challengers Bengaluru pacer
“Till a few series. Because I had received a call. What they said, based on that, I felt maybe the next two series. But then I realised it's not what they said. It wasn't hurtful, because then I knew what was happening, and I made peace with it. It wasn't easy, but family played a big role.”
livemint.com
“In Adelaide it happened. I came to my room and told my wife. I told this from my experience. In the dressing room, everyone was disappointed. There were a few briefs before we left. But when I came back to my room I told Nupur this was my last World Cup.”
livemint.com
Sources
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