Sports · Cricket · 19 hrs ago
Ashwin doubts Bhuvneshwar Kumar will return to India's T20I team
Ravichandran Ashwin doubts Bhuvneshwar Kumar will return to India’s team after the fast bowler’s poor T20I series against New Zealand.
Bhuvneshwar, 36, returned to the side after four years, following a strong IPL season in which he took 28 wickets in 16 matches.
He struggled to carry that form into the series, conceding runs heavily across his four appearances; accounts differ on whether he took one wicket or four.
Ashwin said Bhuvneshwar’s bowling intensity and speed were lower than in the IPL and questioned whether he was fully prepared.
Ashwin says Mohammed Shami is in better rhythm, pointing to the fast bowler’s performances for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy.
India’s next T20I assignment is a home series against Sri Lanka in December, but the sources do not say whether selectors will choose either bowler.
Ravichandran Ashwin said Bhuvneshwar Kumar may struggle to return to India’s team after an underwhelming T20I series against New Zealand.
Bhuvneshwar returned to India’s T20I side after a four-year gap and played in four matches.
The Times of India reported he took one wicket, while the Indian Express reported four; both gave his economy rate as 11.50.
Ashwin said Bhuvneshwar’s bowling lacked the intensity and speed he had shown in the IPL.
Ashwin said Mohammed Shami appeared to be in better rhythm and could be considered for an India return.
- Who
- Ravichandran Ashwin commented on Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami.
- What
- Ashwin said Bhuvneshwar’s India career may be over after a disappointing T20I series. He backed Shami for a possible return.
- When
- The reports were published on November 3, 2026.
- Where
- In the New Zealand T20I series; the reports do not state where Ashwin made his comments.
- Why
- Ashwin said Bhuvneshwar did not match his IPL form and appeared to lack bowling intensity and speed.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Bhuvneshwar took 28 wickets in 16 matches, according to the Times of India.
Bhuvneshwar returned to India’s T20I side for the New Zealand series.
Bhuvneshwar played four matches; the reports differ on his wicket tally, with the Times of India saying one and the Indian Express saying four.
The Times of India and Indian Express published Ashwin’s comments.
India’s next T20I assignment was scheduled to be a three-match home series against Sri Lanka.
- Bhuvneshwar’s age
- 36
- T20I return
- After a four-year gap
- IPL 2026 wickets
- 28 in 16 matches
- New Zealand series economy rate
- 11.50
- Shami’s Ranji Trophy wickets
- 12 in three matches, according to the Indian Express
3 sources
What people are saying
Bhuvneshwar Kumar hasn't bowled that well; he didn't prove his form
I think that chapter is maybe closed. It's very difficult. How will he come back?
That tells me maybe he didn't come in prime training form for this series
Right now I’m thinking that the way Shami is coming in Ranji and bowling, he is in much better rhythm (than Bhuvneshwar)