Bhuvneshwar Kumar returns to India T20I side after 1425-day gap

Bhuvneshwar Kumar returned to India's T20I side for the fifth match against West Indies after a 1425-day absence. The 36-year-old was named in the playing XI at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium but did not bowl as rain abandoned the match after 7.4 overs.

Across the last four IPL seasons, no Indian fast bowler took more Powerplay wickets than Bhuvneshwar or saved more runs with the new ball. He saved 225 runs in the first six overs according to CricViz metrics, 80 runs more than the next bowler. Bhuvneshwar took 28 wickets at an average of 17.89 during IPL 2026 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

India captain Shreyas Iyer said Bhuvneshwar brings experience the side had lacked. New Zealand seamer Jacob Duffy called Bhuvneshwar one of the best bowlers in the IPL tournament, citing his ability to swing the ball, maintain length, and execute slower balls and yorkers. India begin a five-match T20I series against New Zealand on Thursday in Christchurch.