Bhuvneshwar Kumar is back in the India T20I setup after a long gap. The experienced pacer has been picked in India’s 16-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against New Zealand.

The Meerut-born fast bowler last played a T20I for India in November 2022, when the team faced New Zealand. Bhuvneshwar has represented India in all three formats during his international career.

Bhuvneshwar’s Wife Shares Special Reaction

Soon after the BCCI announced the squad, Bhuvneshwar’s wife Nupur Nagar shared the news on Instagram.

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Nupur reposted the BCCI’s squad announcement on her Instagram story and added a sticker that read ‘Gratidão’, a Portuguese word that means ‘gratitude’.

Her post quickly caught the attention of fans on social media as Bhuvneshwar made his return to the Indian team.

IPL 2026 Performance Earns Him India Recall

Bhuvneshwar’s impressive campaign for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2026 played a major role in his return to the national side.

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The pacer featured in all 16 matches for RCB and finished the season with 28 wickets. He ended the tournament as the second-highest wicket-taker.

His consistent performances with the ball appear to have convinced the selectors to bring him back into India’s T20I plans.

Bhuvneshwar To Lead Pace Attack In Bumrah’s Absence?

With Jasprit Bumrah rested for the New Zealand T20I series, Bhuvneshwar could have an important role to play in the pace attack. The experienced fast bowler is expected to share the responsibility with Arshdeep Singh in Shreyas Iyer’s side.

Bhuvneshwar is also the only fast bowler to have crossed the 200-wicket mark in IPL history, underlining his long-standing record in T20 cricket.

Could Bhuvneshwar Return To ODIs Too?

Bhuvneshwar’s T20I comeback could also open the door for an ODI return. Reports suggest the veteran pacer is part of the BCCI’s plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup. If that is the case, he could be considered for India’s upcoming five-match ODI series against New Zealand as well.

The BCCI is expected to announce India’s ODI and Test squads for the New Zealand tour in the coming days.

Bhuvneshwar’s last ODI outing came in January 2022 against South Africa in Paarl. He last played List A for Uttar Pradesh against Andhra Pradesh in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in Chandigarh on December 3, 2023.

India's T20I squad vs New Zealand

Shreyas Iyer [C], Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson [WK], Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan [WK], Tilak Varma [VC], Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav