Ravichandran Ashwin has urged Bhuvneshwar Kumar to earn a fresh call-up to India’s T20I squad after the seasoned pace bowler produced a match-turning display for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2026. Bhuvneshwar’s standout all-round impact helped RCB seal a dramatic two-wicket win over Mumbai Indians in Raipur, and Ashwin believes the veteran has done more than enough to be considered again in the national colours.
In a tense chase at Raipur on Sunday, the defending champions managed to get home with the game hanging in the balance until the final over. Bhuvneshwar set the tone with the ball, finishing with figures of 4/23, before delivering a decisive blow with a crucial six as the pressure reached its peak. The combination of wicket-taking control and timely batting thrust is exactly what has caught Ashwin’s attention.
Speaking on JioStar, Ashwin backed a return for Bhuvneshwar to India’s shortest-format plans, saying the pacer’s skill set fits the demands of modern T20 cricket—especially during the new-ball phase and the high-pressure death overs.
“Hashtag ‘BringBackBhuvi’, I’d love to see him being considered for the T20I side,” Ashwin said. “He’s ticking the boxes with the new ball, he can wrap up the death overs properly, and if you need a six under pressure, he’s hammering that as well in the toughest part of the ground.”
Ashwin was also impressed by how Bhuvneshwar handled the early phase against Mumbai’s top order. The veteran pacer delivered a seam-bowling masterclass, striking Ryan Rickelton, Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav in a fiery opening spell. With the pitch offering movement and uneven bounce, Bhuvneshwar’s ability to adapt quickly proved decisive.
The former India spinner singled out one dismissal in particular, praising the manner in which Bhuvneshwar extracted something special once he realised the conditions were offering assistance.
“That was proper Test-match bowling after he realised there was something on the surface. He keeps testing you as an opening batter,” Ashwin said. “To dismiss Rohit Sharma with that peach, a slower ball that just swung, was quite incredible.”
Beyond the wickets, Ashwin highlighted Bhuvneshwar’s composure in the final overs. He noted that the pacer stayed disciplined and executed the yorker when the moment presented itself, even when the opportunity could have been used for a more aggressive option.
“And later on, he was selfless enough to execute the yorker when he could have gone for a fourth wicket. Extremely happy for him,” Ashwin added.
Bhuvneshwar’s sensational run is continuing to build momentum in IPL 2026. The RCB quick is currently leading the Purple Cap standings with 21 wickets from 11 matches. His economy rate of 7.46 is the best among the top wicket-takers this season, reinforcing his knack for both breaking partnerships and keeping scoring under control.
RCB’s win over MI has had significant consequences in the league phase. The result moved them to the top of the IPL standings and also ended Mumbai Indians’ hopes of reaching the playoffs, despite the five-time champions having entered the season with high expectations.
