Bhuvneshwar Kumar Returns to Indian Colours After Four-Year Absence
New Delhi, Oct 6 (PTI) Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the veteran swing bowler from Meerut, has been recalled to the Indian national team for the 2026 season, four years after he was dropped from the squad. The 36-year-old's return marks the end of a prolonged period in the wilderness, during which many in the cricketing world had written off his international career.
The very skill that led to his exclusion in 2022, his reliance on swing bowling, is now the reason for his reinstatement. Kumar, known as Bhuvi to teammates and acquaintances, has demonstrated that mastery of a craft can outlast the demands of a format increasingly associated with younger players.
A Career Defined by Swing
Kumar hails from Meerut, the city known for producing the SG balls used in red-ball cricket. He follows in the footsteps of Praveen Kumar, who previously brought fame to Meerut's swing bowlers. Praveen Kumar often remarked that there is something in Meerut's air that aids swing bowling, a sentiment that Bhuvneshwar has embodied throughout his career.
His signature outswingers, which deviate late and tempt the outside edge, and his sudden in-cutters have troubled batters for years. These skills, refined over decades, have proven difficult to replace.
The Road Back
Kumar's return was catalysed by a strong showing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the 2025 and 2026 seasons, where he took 45 wickets. His incisive spells anchored the team's campaign, complementing the efforts of Virat Kohli and Krunal Pandya.
His decline began after the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final in Adelaide, where he was expensive against Alex Hales and Jos Buttler. A subsequent tour of New Zealand confirmed his struggles, and with new fast bowlers emerging, he was left out of the national setup.
During the tenure of chief selector Ajit Agarkar, the focus was on building for the future, and Kumar's return was not considered. However, some panel members, including Rudra Pratap Singh, who had shared the new ball with Kumar, disagreed with this approach. After Agarkar's departure, the path was cleared for Kumar's deserved recall.
Patience and Work Ethic
Throughout his time away from the national team, Kumar maintained a quiet demeanour and a disciplined work ethic. He did not make public statements or seek sympathy, instead focusing on his skills. He played white-ball cricket for Uttar Pradesh, serving as a mentor to younger bowlers, and continued to perform in the IPL.
His perseverance has now paid off. As one former India player and BCCI official remarked, if Bhuvneshwar can return, others may follow. The focus now shifts to how Kumar will perform in his second coming, armed with the same craft that defined his first.