99 runs conceded in 2 T20Is! Bhuvneshwar Kumar gets a message from Morne Morkel

Bhuvneshwar Kumar (BCCI Photo) India bowling coach Morne Morkel has asked Bhuvneshwar Kumar to stay calm, ignore outside pressure and focus on his own game as the veteran fast bowler tries to find his rhythm on his return to the T20I side after a four-year layoff.Bhuvneshwar’s comeback did not go as planned. The 36-year-old conceded 49 runs in the first T20I against New Zealand and 50 in the second, taking only one wicket in the two matches. His economy rate of 12.37 was the highest among Indian bowlers in the series.With India leading 2-0 in the five-match series, Morkel backed the veteran batsman to improve as he gets more opportunities on the field.

“Block the Expectation Factor”

Morkel said Bhuvneshwar will naturally face expectations after returning to the international scene after four years away from the T20I side. He also pointed out the bowler’s strong performances in the IPL.“I feel a lot of sympathy for his return. After four years, he is expected to come back. He has done exceptionally well in the IPL and bowled really well,” Morkel said on the eve of the third T20I.The bowling coach said that preparing for international cricket was not easy, especially when the player had limited time to prepare before the series.“One challenge is to block the expectation factor. The two leading up to the selection he trained for a month but playing international cricket is a different animal where the margins are small. He had to come in with limited training because of the schedule to prepare.”Bhuvneshwar played an important role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s back-to-back IPL titles. He scored 17 goals in the 2025 season and then 28 goals in 2026.

Morkel backs Bhuvneshwar to find his rhythm

Despite costly outings in the first two matches, Morkel believes Bhuvneshwar has the skills and experience needed to make a comeback. He urged the bowlers not to put pressure on themselves to deliver immediately.“The skill and his experience, it’s all there. But at the end of the day we have to respect the game of cricket and you have to be able to allow him to just find himself in some games.”Morkel said his message to Bhuvneshwar has been simple since the pacer joined the squad.“And for me, that was the message from the beginning when he joined the squad, don’t chase anything. Just be.”He added that a bowler should concentrate on his game rather than worrying about what others expect from him.“Yes, there will be expectations. But you will improve with each game and you will find your rhythm with each game. So let’s not think about any outside distractions. Just be yourself and connect with it,” the South African added.