Bhuvneshwar Kumar, aged 36, has been recalled to India's T20I squad for the five-match series against New Zealand beginning October 22, 2026. The fast bowler's return marks a significant comeback after more than three years away from international cricket, with his last T20I appearance coming against New Zealand in Napier on November 22, 2022.
India captain Rohit Sharma has expressed optimism about Bhuvneshwar's return during an appearance on his television show Family Full House with Rohit Sharma. Rohit drew an interesting comparison between the pacer's international comeback and the career resurgence of Bollywood actor Akshaye Khanna.
Actor Chunky Panday read out names of Bollywood stars and asked the India opener which cricketers they brought to mind. The first name was Akshaye Khanna, who has revived his career big time after a stellar performance in the Bollywood movie Dhurandhar.
"His comeback was superb in the Dhurandhar movie. It was so fun. Now recently, the one who has made a comeback on our team is Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Our tour of New Zealand is coming, so we will go there. I hope he performs really well," Rohit said during a segment on "Family Full House with Rohit Sharma".
Bhuvneshwar's recent domestic form has been strong. In IPL 2026, he took 28 wickets from 16 matches for Royal Challengers Bangalore at an economy rate of 7.95. In the previous season, IPL 2025, he claimed 17 wickets for RCB with best figures of 3/33. His consistent performances in the league have made him a valuable option for India's seam attack in New Zealand.
Across his T20I career, Bhuvneshwar has played 87 matches and taken 90 wickets at an economy rate of 6.96, with best figures of 5/4. His experience in seam-friendly conditions will be valuable for India's campaign in New Zealand, where his last international appearance occurred nearly four years ago. The pacer's ability to bowl in powerplay and death overs has been a key asset throughout his career.
Bhuvneshwar was named in India's XI for the fifth T20I against West Indies in Bengaluru on October 17, 2026, though that match was abandoned due to rain. The New Zealand tour will provide him with an opportunity to re-establish himself in the international arena after his extended absence from the squad. The series runs from October 22 to November 1, 2026, offering the veteran pacer a chance to prove his fitness and form at the highest level.
