Murali Kartik backs Bhuvneshwar Kumar's India comeback
Murali Kartik has endorsed Bhuvneshwar Kumar's return to the India T20I side after four years, while Mohammed Shami stays omitted from all squads.
Former India spinner Murali Kartik has welcomed Bhuvneshwar Kumar's return to the national side after a four-year absence. The 36-year-old pacer featured in the rain-washed fifth T20I against West Indies on Saturday and is part of the squad for the five-match T20I series in New Zealand that begins on 22 October at Hagley Oval, Christchurch.
Bhuvneshwar had missed 104 consecutive T20Is before his recall. He impressed selectors with consistent performances for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2026, contributing to back-to-back titles. Aakash Chopra had earlier urged selectors to consider the seamer for the ODI leg of the New Zealand tour as well.
Mohammed Shami, also 36, remains outside the squad for any format. The Bengal pacer pulled out of the Ranji Trophy match against Services on Sunday despite being declared fit by the state coach.