It has been four years. Bhuvneshwar Kumar Last played for India in a T20I, a quiet outing against New Zealand in Napier that came shortly after India’s semi-final exit at the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia. After that tournament, he was phased out during India’s transition to the shortest format and has not featured since.However, his performance in IPL 2026 has reopened the debate about an international comeback. Now heading into the Purple Cap race, Bhuvneshwar has taken 21 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 15.28 and an economy rate of 7.46, showing a remarkable recovery at the age of 36.
It came against his most recent standout performance Mumbai Indianswhere he bowled a match-winning spell of 4/23, dismissing key batsmen. Rohit SharmaRyan Rickelton and Surya Kumar Yadav. He also contributed with the bat, hitting a crucial six that helped his team recover in the tense phase of the innings.Former cricketer Akash Chopra have strongly supported the recall, citing both form and consistency. Speaking on his YouTube channel, he said, “Bhuvneshwar Kumar, you’ve been absolutely brilliant. I’m saying he should be reinstated in the Indian T20I team. He’s got four wickets, six times this season he’s taken three or more wickets. Only one bowler in the 19-year history has taken six wickets in 120 seasons three times, Harl Patel.” Bhavi has already done it here. He is bowling at an economy of less than eight.Chopra also highlighted India’s busy T20I calendar, suggesting that consistent domestic form should be rewarded with opportunities at the international level.With consistent performances, match-winning spells, and elite control over the economy, Bhuvneshwar’s IPL 2026 season has made the selectors at least reconsider a conversation that once seemed closed.
