Bhuvneshwar Kumar Joins India Squad for Final T20I Against West Indies

In a significant update for cricket fans, India has welcomed veteran bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar back into the squad for the final T20I against the West Indies. This decision follows an injury to Arshdeep Singh, leaving the team in need of experienced players. Bowling coach Morne Morkel expressed excitement about Bhuvneshwar's return, highlighting the importance of his experience for the young bowling lineup. As the series has seen high-scoring matches, Morkel emphasized the need for smarter decision-making under pressure. Read on to learn more about the team's preparations and strategies for the upcoming match.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 17, 2026, 00:21 IST

Bhuvneshwar Kumar's Return to the Squad

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], October 16: In a strategic move, India has included seasoned pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar in their lineup for the fifth and final T20I against the West Indies. This decision comes after Arshdeep Singh suffered a shoulder injury during the fourth match.

With Arshdeep being the sole experienced fast bowler in the squad, India's bowling coach Morne Morkel expressed enthusiasm about Bhuvneshwar's comeback. He emphasized that Bhuvneshwar's past performances with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) would significantly enhance the depth and experience of the team's relatively youthful bowling unit.

Morkel shared his thoughts with reporters ahead of the crucial match in Bengaluru, stating, “I’m thrilled to have him back. He has performed exceptionally well for RCB, and his experience will be invaluable to our young bowling attack. I’m looking forward to seeing him in action.”

As India faces challenges in defending high scores in the ongoing T20I series against the West Indies, Morkel highlighted the need for the young bowlers to make more astute decisions under pressure, particularly at Bengaluru's high-scoring ground. He noted that mastering deliveries like yorkers requires experience and time on the field.

The current T20I series has seen a surge in high scores, making it increasingly tough to defend totals over 200. India initially secured an easy eight-wicket victory in the first match by chasing down 172 runs. However, the second T20I in Ranchi revealed vulnerabilities in their bowling, as the West Indies successfully chased a daunting target of 250, finishing at 252/4 in just 18.3 overs.

India rebounded in the third match, managing to defend a score of 223 to win by 14 runs, despite the West Indies scoring 209/7. Yet, in the fourth T20I, they struggled again, with Shai Hope's unbeaten century leading the West Indies to 247/3, leaving India 24 runs short.

Morkel mentioned, “We had discussions with some bowlers this morning to pinpoint specific areas and prepare for what to expect here in Bengaluru. It’s a high-scoring venue, and our skills will be put to the test. While planning is essential, the key is to help our younger bowlers make smarter decisions under pressure. Ultimately, execution is crucial. You can strategize about bowling yorkers, but consistent delivery is what matters, and that comes with experience.”

Despite the challenges, Morkel praised his bowlers for their execution throughout the series, emphasizing the need to maintain pressure from both ends. He also commended Prince Yadav for adhering to the fundamentals, effectively understanding and executing his skills.

“I believe we’ve performed well in this aspect during the series, but it’s critical that both ends execute effectively. Failing to do so gives the batting side momentum, which is hard to reclaim. Prince Yadav has been impressive in executing his skills, keeping things straightforward and understanding his strengths,” Morkel concluded.