Bhuvneshwar Kumar
The veteran pacer has not played for India since November 2022, but his performances in RCB’s back-to-back IPL title-winning campaigns have revived calls for his return. Bhuvneshwar took 17 wickets in IPL 2025 before producing an even better campaign in 2026, claiming 28 wickets at an average of 17.89. The 36-year-old has repeatedly played down expectations of an India recall. Bhuvneshwar also revealed that he had already sensed his India World Cup career could be over after the team’s semifinal defeat to England in Adelaide at the 2022 T20 World Cup. Bhuvneshwar’s last India appearance came in Napier in November 2022, shortly after the team’s semifinal exit from the T20 World Cup in Australia.
After returning to his room following the loss, he called his wife Nupur and told her that he believed it had been his final World Cup for India. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has once again found himself at the centre of conversations around the Indian team after two impressive IPL seasons with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He finished just one wicket short of winning the Purple Cap for a record third time. However, speaking to Jatin Sapru on his YouTube channel, Bhuvneshwar admitted that he feels he deserves another opportunity in the national team. After the New Zealand tour, the pacer initially believed the selectors could bring him back into the side. He had received a call from the team management and interpreted it as a possible indication that he would be considered for the following two series. he eventually accepted that the selectors were looking towards the next cycle While he had initially hoped for another chance.