Bhuvneshwar Kumar Reflects on His International Career and Future Aspirations

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the veteran Indian pacer, has candidly discussed his current status in cricket, acknowledging that a return to the national team seems unlikely. He reflects on his absence from international matches since November 2022 and shares insights about his experiences following the 2022 T20 World Cup. Despite his impressive performance in domestic leagues, he emphasizes that he is no longer waiting for a call-up, expressing contentment with his career. Kumar's journey highlights the challenges athletes face and the importance of acceptance in their professional lives.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 15, 2026, 15:28 IST

Bhuvneshwar Kumar's Acceptance of His Current Status

Veteran Indian fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who plays for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, has acknowledged that a return to the national team seems unlikely. He has candidly discussed his feelings regarding his absence from international cricket after a successful stint in domestic leagues.

Since November 2022, Bhuvneshwar has not been part of the Indian squad across any formats, with his last game being a T20I against New Zealand. He was part of the team that faced a semifinal defeat against England in the 2022 T20 World Cup.

Despite taking 45 wickets over the last two IPL seasons with RCB, the pacer has not been recalled for the ongoing T20I series against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. In the recent UP T20 League 2026, he claimed 14 wickets in 11 matches.

Bhuvneshwar's Perspective on His Career

The prolonged absence of Bhuvneshwar from the T20I setup has sparked discussions among fans eager for his return. However, the 36-year-old has expressed that he is no longer waiting for a call-up, stating he is satisfied with his current career status.

In a conversation with sports anchor Jatin Sapru on his YouTube channel, Bhuvneshwar mentioned that he has moved past the disappointment of non-selection, recognizing that selectors are likely focusing on future cycles after major tournament exits.

"I'm not playing to prove anything, but I'd be happy to play for India again. I've moved beyond waiting for the next series," he shared.

"Initially, I thought I might get a call for the next two series, but I realized that wasn't the case. It didn't hurt me because I understood the situation, and I found peace with it, thanks in part to my family," he added.

Reflections on the 2022 T20 World Cup

Bhuvneshwar also revealed that he had anticipated his World Cup journey was over after the 2022 semifinal loss. He confided in his wife, Nupur, that he believed this would be his last appearance in a global tournament, as he sensed the selectors would shift their focus to the next World Cup cycle.

"After the match in Adelaide, I returned to my room and told my wife that this was my last World Cup. Based on my experience, when a team exits a tournament like this, selectors tend to look ahead, which is understandable," he explained.

In his international career, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has taken 294 wickets, including 10 four-wicket hauls and 7 five-wicket hauls, boasting an average of 29.50 and an economy rate of 4.73 across 229 matches.