Sports · Cricket · 1 hr ago
Iyer says Bhuvneshwar's experience can strengthen India's T20 bowling
India have recalled Bhuvneshwar Kumar to their T20I squad for the series against New Zealand, nearly four years after his last appearance in the format.
Captain Shreyas Iyer said the team had been short of experienced bowlers, especially after adding several new players to the attack.
Bhuvneshwar's recent IPL form helped earn his return: he took 45 wickets across the 2025 and 2026 seasons for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who won both titles.
India's bowlers have struggled to contain opposition teams, including in the recent West Indies series, when opponents scored more than 200 in three of the four completed matches.
Bhuvneshwar can swing the new ball and bowl at the end of an innings, giving India options and experience while Jasprit Bumrah is rested for the New Zealand series.
His return is expected in the five-match T20I series, which begins in Christchurch; his planned comeback against the West Indies was prevented by rain.
Iyer also expects New Zealand's pace attack and local conditions to test India's batters, who will use practice to prepare.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is set to return to India’s T20I setup in the five-match series against New Zealand, nearly four years after his last T20I appearance.
India captain Shreyas Iyer said Bhuvneshwar’s experience was needed in a bowling attack that had included several new faces.
Iyer pointed to Bhuvneshwar’s recent Indian Premier League performances as evidence that he can excel in T20 cricket.
The first T20I is scheduled to be played in Christchurch.
Bhuvneshwar last played a T20I for India in November 2022.
- Who
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar is set to return to India’s T20I setup, with captain Shreyas Iyer welcoming his experience.
- What
- He could make his international comeback in a five-match T20I series against New Zealand.
- When
- The first match is scheduled for October 2026; Bhuvneshwar’s last T20I appearance was in November 2022.
- Where
- The first match is scheduled to be played in Christchurch, New Zealand.
- Why
- Iyer said India had been lacking experience in its bowling attack and cited Bhuvneshwar’s recent IPL performances.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Bhuvneshwar made his last T20I appearance for India.
Bhuvneshwar helped Royal Challengers Bengaluru win back-to-back IPL titles.
Bhuvneshwar’s anticipated return against the West Indies at home was washed out by rain.
Reports ahead of the New Zealand series described Bhuvneshwar’s expected return to the T20I setup.
- Series
- Five T20Is against New Zealand
- Opening match
- Christchurch
- Last T20I appearance
- November 2022
- India T20I wickets
- 90 wickets in 87 matches
- Recent IPL wickets
- 45 wickets in 31 matches for Royal Challengers Bengaluru since his last T20I appearance
3 sources
What people are saying
He brings a lot of experience to the team. And we were lacking that. Especially after IPL. We had a lot of new bowlers. But in T20, if you see his career graph, he has won IPL in the last two years. So, he has a very good idea of dominating this format.