Archive · 15 Sep 2026
Bhuvneshwar Kumar Open to India Return After IPL Revival
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is a fast bowler who has played very well for RCB recently.
He took 45 wickets in the team’s last two IPL seasons.
RCB won the IPL title in both seasons.
Bhuvneshwar took 17 wickets in 2025 and 28 in the following season.
These performances have led people to discuss his return to India’s team.
He last played for India in November 2022.
Bhuvneshwar said he is not playing only to prove that he deserves selection.
However, he would be happy if India chose him again.
He said his family helped him cope after he realised a comeback might not happen.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar took 45 wickets across RCB’s back-to-back IPL title-winning seasons.
He claimed 17 wickets in IPL 2025 and 28 in the following season, narrowly missing a third Purple Cap.
The 36-year-old last played for India in November 2022, in a T20I against New Zealand in Napier.
Bhuvneshwar said he is not playing to prove anything but would be happy to represent India again.
He said his family helped him accept that a return to the national team might not happen.
- Who
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the 36-year-old RCB fast bowler, is at the center of the discussion.
- What
- He said he would welcome another opportunity to play for India after strong IPL performances.
- When
- He last played for India in November 2022 and took 17 wickets in IPL 2025 and 28 in the following season.
- Where
- He discussed his international prospects on Jatin Sapru’s YouTube channel and recalled the 2022 T20 World Cup in Adelaide.
- Why
- His recent wicket-taking form has renewed calls for an India comeback, while he says he no longer waits for selection.
Supporters Want a Comeback
Bhuvneshwar’s Measured Position
Meaning of his IPL form
Supporters Want a Comeback
His 45 wickets across two successful IPL seasons, including 17 in 2025 and 28 in the following season, have prompted strong calls for an India return.
Bhuvneshwar’s Measured Position
Bhuvneshwar said he is not playing to prove anything, although he would be happy to represent India if selected.
Expectations about selection
Supporters Want a Comeback
With the ODI World Cup approaching and India’s pace attack described as lacking experience beyond Jasprit Bumrah, supporters see a possible role for the veteran bowler.
Bhuvneshwar’s Measured Position
Bhuvneshwar said he has moved beyond waiting for the next series and has accepted that selection may not happen.
- Recent IPL wickets
- 45 across RCB’s last two title-winning seasons
- IPL 2025 wickets
- 17 for RCB
- Following-season wickets
- 28 for RCB
- Last India appearance
- November 2022, in a T20I against New Zealand in Napier
- International record
- 229 matches, 294 wickets and a 29.50 average
- Selection 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 might be his last global ICC event
