Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s Comeback Hits a Wall: Could He Be Dropped?

A Long-Awaited Return That Has Not Gone to Plan

After almost four years away from the India team, Bhuvneshwar Kumar was back in the T20I side, and fans were excited. Three matches into the series in New Zealand, the story looks different. The 36-year-old fast bowler has taken just one wicket, and former India spinner R Ashwin thinks the team could now make a change. Here is what has happened and what it could mean.

What the Numbers Say So Far?

The figures are not kind to the veteran pacer:

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Wickets: Just one in three matches.
Runs conceded: 139.
Economy rate: 11.58 runs per over, across about 12 overs.
Series situation: India won the third T20I in Wellington on Tuesday and sealed the series, with two games still to play.

These are small numbers to judge a career on, but they are poor for a bowler whose job is to control the game.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar Comeback: Why Ashwin Thinks He Could Be Dropped

Ashwin said he would not be surprised if Bhuvneshwar is replaced for the next match. He named two possible options: a spinner, or fast bowler Mayank Yadav. His reasons come from what he saw in the third T20I. He said the bowler’s pace was down, the swing that makes him dangerous was missing, and he did not look as sharp running in as he could. Ashwin called the performance a “miss” and said it looked like Bhuvneshwar was a bit off. This is Ashwin’s opinion and guess. The team has not announced any change.

Was It Always This Bad? Not According to Ashwin

Ashwin did not write the bowler off. He said anyone can have a bad day and go for runs. In fact, he preferred Bhuvneshwar’s first two games, when he thought the bowler did well early in the innings. Ashwin said he swung the ball and bowled the third over inside the powerplay in the previous match. So the worry is not that he has lost everything. It is that the third game looked noticeably worse than the two before it.

Why Could India Make Changes Now?

The series is already won, which gives the team a free hand. Ashwin said rotating players is possible, as New Zealand are doing. That means:

Fresh faces get a chance: The team can test other bowlers without risking the series.
Spinners are waiting: Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy have not played a single game yet.
Mayank Yadav is an option: Ashwin named him as a possible replacement.

Will Spinners Even Help on the Smaller Grounds?

There is a catch. Ashwin pointed out that the first two games were played on a big ground where spinners could have been useful. In the third T20I, even New Zealand’s spinners did not help much. The next two grounds are smaller still. He said he was not sure whether spinners can play there at all. So the choice is not simple. A spinner may be less useful on a small ground, which could keep the focus on fast bowlers.

What the Bowling Coach Says?

India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel spoke about Bhuvneshwar before the third match and sounded understanding. He said a return after four years brings heavy expectations, and he urged the bowler to block them out and be himself. Morkel also noted that Bhuvneshwar trained for a month before selection and had limited preparation because of the schedule. He added that international cricket is harder than other levels, because the margins are very small. Bhuvneshwar has strong form to lean on. He played a big part in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s back-to-back IPL titles, taking 17 wickets in the 2025 season and 28 in 2026.

Analysis: Time to Be Patient or Time to Move On?

There are two fair views. One says a sample of three games is small, he has a strong IPL record, and his early matches showed promise, so patience may pay off. The other says that with the series won and a tight schedule ahead, the team can afford to try someone else and give Bhuvneshwar a rest. Neither view is wrong. What matters is the next team announcement. If he plays, the focus will be on whether the swing and pace return. If he sits out, it will not necessarily mean the end of his comeback. It may only be a short break to reset.

India

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

T20I series

India vs New Zealand

Published Date : October 29, 2026
Author: Jyosri

A Junior Journalist passionate about reporting accurate, engaging, and reader-focused news across technology, business, education, health, entertainment, lifestyle, and current affairs. Dedicated to researching reliable sources, verifying information, and producing clear, factual content that follows ethical journalism standards.

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How has Bhuvneshwar Kumar performed in the T20I series?

He has taken one wicket in three matches and conceded 139 runs at an economy rate of 11.58.

Will Bhuvneshwar Kumar be dropped?

R Ashwin said he would not be surprised if Bhuvneshwar is replaced, perhaps by a spinner or Mayank Yadav. The team has not announced any decision.

What did Ashwin say was wrong with his bowling?

He said the pace was down, the swing was missing and the bowler looked a bit off in the third T20I. He liked Bhuvneshwar’s first two games.

Have India already won the series?

Yes. India won the third T20I in Wellington on Tuesday and sealed the series, with two matches left.

How does Taapsee Pannu's performance compare to the film overall?

He said he has sympathy for Bhuvneshwar’s return after four years, and he urged him to block out expectations. He also noted that Bhuvneshwar had limited preparation before selection.