Bhuvneshwar Kumar Returns to Team India for T20I Series Against New Zealand

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been recalled to the Indian cricket team for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand after a four-year absence. The tour will feature five T20Is starting October 22, along with ODIs and Test matches. Kumar's impressive IPL performance has paved the way for his return, and he is on the brink of achieving 300 international wickets. Rishabh Pant's participation is contingent on his fitness following a recent illness. The squads for both India and India A have been announced, highlighting key players for the tour.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 6, 2026, 22:29 IST

Bhuvneshwar Kumar's Comeback

After a four-year hiatus, veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has received a call-up to the Indian cricket team as they prepare for a five-match T20I series against New Zealand, announced on Tuesday.

The selection committee has revealed the squads for both India and India A for the upcoming tour. India is set to compete in five T20Is, while India A will engage in three Multi-Day matches against New Zealand A.

The tour kicks off with the T20Is starting October 22, followed by five ODIs and two Test matches. Notable Indian Test players, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar, and KL Rahul, are part of the India A squad, with multi-day matches scheduled from October 24 to November 10, leading into the Test series commencing on November 19.

Bhuvneshwar's Performance and Career Highlights

If selected, Bhuvneshwar will make his first international appearance since the T20 World Cup semifinal against England in 2022. He has shown impressive form with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL, taking 45 wickets in 31 matches at an average of 22.55 and an economy rate of 8.52, contributing to the franchise's consecutive titles in 2025 and 2026.

Known as the 'Swing King', he has claimed 90 wickets for India in 87 T20Is, with two five-wicket hauls and three four-wicket hauls. At 36 years old, he is on the verge of reaching 300 international wickets, having already taken 294 across all formats.

In the recent IPL season, Bhuvneshwar was the second-highest wicket-taker, securing 28 wickets in 16 matches with an average of 17.89 and an economy rate of 7.95.

Rishabh Pant's Fitness and Squad Details

Rishabh Pant's participation in the India A matches will depend on his fitness, as he recently dealt with fever during the Irani Cup while representing the Rest of India against Jammu and Kashmir, the reigning Ranji Trophy champions.

Squads for the New Zealand Tour

India’s T20I Squad

Shreyas Iyer [C], Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson [WK], Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan [WK], Tilak Varma [VC], Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav.

India A Squad

Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Ravichandran Smaran, Rishabh Pant* [WK], Dhruv Jurel [C] [WK], Washington Sundar, Auqib Nabi, Akash Deep, Anshul Kamboj, Manav Suthar, Mukesh Choudhary, Sai Sudarsan, Yash Rathod, Mukesh Kumar.

Note: * Subject to fitness.