Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Bhuvneshwar Returns as India Weighs 2027 World Cup Plans
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is back in India’s T20 cricket team after almost four years away.
India will play five T20 matches in New Zealand.
He had a strong season in the IPL, and his team won titles in 2025 and 2026.
Reports say India may also be checking whether he can play a bigger role in one-day cricket.
The 2027 World Cup is one reason being discussed for his return.
In one-day matches, he would need to bowl up to 10 overs.
Bhuvneshwar says he is training and would be happy to play in another World Cup.
Varun Chakravarthy is also back in the team, while Jasprit Bumrah will rest.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been recalled to India’s T20I squad for the five-match New Zealand series, nearly four years after his last T20I.
He took 28 wickets in IPL 2026 and was one wicket behind Kagiso Rabada; another report says he claimed 45 wickets across Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s 2025 and 2026 title-winning seasons.
Reports say India wants to use the T20I series to assess whether Bhuvneshwar can handle the workload of bowling 10 overs in one-day cricket ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
Bhuvneshwar has said he is training, feels ready, and would welcome another World Cup selection, while accepting it is not guaranteed.
Varun Chakravarthy also returns to the T20I squad, while Jasprit Bumrah was rested; India’s five T20Is are scheduled for October 22 to November 1.
- Who
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been recalled to India’s T20I squad; Varun Chakravarthy also returns.
- What
- India selected its squad for a five-match T20I series against New Zealand, with reports linking Bhuvneshwar’s selection to assessment for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
- When
- The T20I series is scheduled for October 22 to November 1; Bhuvneshwar last played a T20I in November 2022.
- Where
- New Zealand; the matches are scheduled for Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland and Hamilton.
- Why
- Reports say India wants to assess Bhuvneshwar’s fitness and ability to handle the workload of one-day cricket.
Reasons to consider Bhuvneshwar
Questions about his World Cup prospects
Recent form and bowling skills
Reasons to consider Bhuvneshwar
His strong IPL performances and ability to move the new ball are presented as reasons he could help India, particularly in the powerplay.
Questions about his World Cup prospects
His return to the T20I squad does not guarantee a place in the ODI World Cup squad; reports say his fitness and ability to sustain a 10-over workload still need assessment.
One-day record and conditions
Reasons to consider Bhuvneshwar
One report argues that fresh pitches in South Africa could suit Bhuvneshwar and that India needs more powerplay wickets.
Questions about his World Cup prospects
The same report notes that he took 141 ODI wickets in 120 innings and that his last ODI, against South Africa, was wicketless; it also cites his limited success in South Africa.
- Bhuvneshwar’s age
- 36
- Last T20I
- November 2022, in New Zealand
- IPL 2026 wickets
- 28, one fewer than Kagiso Rabada
- Reported wickets across IPL 2025 and 2026
- 45 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, according to one article
- New Zealand T20I series
- Five matches, scheduled for October 22 to November 1
- World Cup consideration
- Reports say India may assess Bhuvneshwar’s fitness and workload for a possible 2027 ODI World Cup role
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Rested for the T20I series to manage his workload ahead of the two-Test series
