Four years have passed since Bhuvneshwar Kumar last pulled on the India jersey in a T20I, with his final outing coming in Napier against New Zealand shortly after India’s semi-final exit at the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia. After that tournament, he found himself on the sidelines during India’s reshuffle in the shortest format and has not returned to international cricket since.
That gap, however, has started to look less final. Strong displays in IPL 2026 have reignited the discussion about a possible comeback to the national team. At 36, Bhuvneshwar is currently setting the pace in the Purple Cap race, having claimed 21 wickets across 11 matches. His figures read 15.28 for the bowling average, while his economy rate stands at 7.46—numbers that reflect both wicket-taking impact and tight run control.
His latest headline performance arrived against Mumbai Indians, where he delivered a decisive spell of 4/23. The burst of wickets included the removal of important top-order and middle-order names such as Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton and Suryakumar Yadav. Alongside his bowling, he also made a meaningful contribution with the bat, striking a crucial six that helped his side regain momentum during a tense stretch of the chase.
Aakash Chopra has been among the voices pushing for a recall, stressing that Bhuvneshwar’s recent output has been both excellent and repeatable. On his YouTube channel, Chopra said, “Bhuvneshwar Kumar, you have been absolutely outstanding. I am saying a place should be made for him again in the Indian T20I team. He picked up four wickets. He has taken three or more wickets six times this season. Before this, in the 19-year history, only one bowler had taken three wickets six times. That was Harshal Patel in the 2021 season. Bhuvi has already done that here. He is bowling at an economy of less than eight.”
Chopra also pointed to India’s packed T20I schedule, arguing that sustained domestic performances should be rewarded with further chances at the international level—especially when they come with the kind of match-defining spells Bhuvneshwar has been producing.
With sustained form, game-changing wicket hauls, and economy rates that sit in the elite bracket, Bhuvneshwar’s IPL 2026 campaign has turned a previously settled debate into one selectors can no longer ignore.
