Bhuvneshwar Returns to India's T20 Squad for New Zealand Tour
Bhuvneshwar Kumar returns after a four-year absence as India names a 16-member T20I squad for the 40-day New Zealand tour.
- On Tuesday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India announced veteran fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar's return to the T20I squad after a four-year absence, with the selection finalized at ACA Stadium in Guwahati.
- Kumar's last international appearance came in November 2022 against New Zealand at McLean Park in Napier; he convinced selectors through two Indian Premier League campaigns with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, picking 45 wickets.
- In IPL 2026, Kumar finished with 28 wickets from 16 games while maintaining an economy rate of 7.95, then took 14 wickets in 11 UP T20 League matches before India's series begins October 22 in Christchurch.
- Kumar becomes the biggest addition to India's squad as the team retains most players from the West Indies series, while Jasprit Bumrah was rested to manage workload before the two-Test series later in the tour.
- The 40-day tour is the largest men's bilateral cricket series ever held in New Zealand, featuring five T20Is, five ODIs, and two Test matches crucial for ICC World Test Championship qualification, marking India's first Test assignment in the country since 2019.
26 Articles
26 Articles
Bhuvneshwar returns to India's T20 squad for New Zealand tour
The 36-year-old Bhuvneshwar, who last played a T20 for India in November 2022, is part of the 16-member squad for five matches starting October 22 in Christchurch. India will also play five one-day internationals and two Tests on the tour, the squad for which will be announced later, said the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Bhuvneshwar's return comes on the back of two successful Indian Premier League seasons for champions Royal Ch…
Bhuvneshwar Kumar returns after 4 years as India announces T20 squad against New Zealand - The Tribune
The 'Swing King' has 90 scalps for India at an average of 23.10 in 87 T20Is and has taken two five-fors and three four-fers in the format. With 294 wickets across all formats, Bhuvneshwar at 36 years of age, has got a chance to complete 300 international wickets. This season in the IPL, Bhuvneshwar was the second-highest wicket-taker with 28 scalps in 16 matches at an average of 17.89, with an economy rate of 7.95.
On this tour, the Indian team will play a thrilling five-match T20 series against hosts New Zealand, while the India 'A' team will play three multi-day (four-day) matches against New Zealand 'A'. The squads for the ODI and Test series will be announced at a later date.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar Makes Return to India Squad For Upcoming T20Is Against New Zealand
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has returned to India’s T20I squad for the five-match tour of New Zealand after the BCCI senior selection committee named the 36-year-old fast bowler. India begin the series on October 22 at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval, with Bhuvneshwar back after strong IPL and UP T20 League form.
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