World · India Bureau
Bhuvneshwar Kumar's T20I Comeback in Jeopardy After Underwhelming Series Start
After a near four-year absence from international cricket, veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar faces an uncertain future in India's T20I squad following a sluggish performance in the ongoing series against New Zealand. Senior off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has suggested the paceman's early exit from the team would not be surprising.
LSN India ·
Bhuvneshwar Kumar's much-anticipated return to the Indian T20I setup has failed to deliver the impact expected, raising questions about his role in the squad for the current series against New Zealand. The experienced pacer, who has been out of international reckoning for nearly four years, has struggled to replicate his previous form across the opening matches of the series.
The underwhelming start has prompted speculation about potential changes to India's playing XI, with established cricketers weighing in on the situation. Ravichandran Ashwin, speaking on the matter, indicated that a premature withdrawal of Bhuvneshwar from the squad would not come as a shock, given his recent performances.
Bhuvneshwar's comeback was viewed as an attempt to bolster India's pace attack in the shortest format, but the initial results suggest the transition back to international cricket has been more challenging than anticipated. The team management will need to assess whether to persist with the veteran or make adjustments ahead of the remaining fixtures.
The T20I series against New Zealand provides a critical window for players to stake their claims in the squad, and Bhuvneshwar's struggles have opened the door for selectors to reconsider their options. His performance over the remaining games could prove decisive in determining whether his international comeback extends beyond this series.