Four years later, a leap of faith: Dinesh Karthik backs Bhuvneshwar’s return to India

Dinesh Karthik praised the selectors for showing the courage to recall Bhuvneshwar Kumar to the Indian team after a four-year absence and said the veteran pacer deserved his comeback with his performances.

Bhuvneshwar last played for India in November 2022 and has now been included in the T20I squad for the upcoming New Zealand series. His return comes after two strong IPL seasons with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where he once again displayed the skills that have made him one of India’s most effective white-ball bowlers.

“It took four years to pick him back in that Indian team. First of all, good job selectors for having the guts to pick someone,” Karthik said.

India have tried several pace options in recent years, but Karthik believes Bhuvneshwar’s skills are still difficult to replace.

“The Indian team has tried all the pacers in the last year. But if you look purely at skill, Bhuvi has been exceptional,” he said.

Bhuvneshwar can swing the new ball both ways and has the experience to bowl at the death, giving India an option of who can contribute at various stages of a T20 match.

“The quality he brings is brilliant. He can mix with the new ball, swing it both ways and then handle the pressure at the death,” said Karthik.

AGARKAR’S CALL

Bhuvneshwar’s return is particularly noteworthy as his return seemed unlikely during the previous selection regime.

A PTI report stated that Bhuvneshwar’s return did not happen when Ajit Agarkar was chairman of selectors, with the former Indian pacer, despite Bhuvneshwar’s performances, preferring to look to the future rather than revisit a past option. The report added that his removal was made easier after Agarkar’s exit as Pragyan Ojha took over as interim chairman.

The timing of the withdrawal also coincided with India’s need for experience in the pace attack, with Jasprit Bumrah rested for the New Zealand T20I series. Bhuvneshwar’s ability to swing the ball in the Powerplay gives India another option alongside Arshdeep Singh and the younger fast bowlers in the team.

REVIVAL RCB

Bhuvneshwar’s performances for RCB played a major role in his return to the limelight.

PTI reported that he played an important role in RCB’s back-to-back IPL winning campaigns, taking 17 wickets in 2025 and 28 in 2026. His ability to produce movement with the new ball and trouble batsmen in the Powerplay remained a key part of his value.

The performances came after a difficult period in his international career. Bhuvneshwar struggled for pace during the 2022 T20 World Cup and with the new generation of fast bowlers, his Indian career seemed to be coming to an end.

Instead, he continued to work on his game away from the international spotlight.

Karthik believes these performances made his appeal impossible to ignore.

“I honestly wish he goes there and enjoys the rest of his time playing international cricket. He deserves it purely on performance,” he said.

SKILL BEFORE SENTIMENT

Karthik also recalled the discussions surrounding the IPL mega auction and said that Bhuvneshwar was one of the players whose skills made him an obvious target.

“When we discussed the mega auction, there was one name, Bhuvi, and you almost felt like you had to get him,” Karthik said.

For the former India wicketkeeper, Bhuvneshwar’s comeback is not just about his past achievements. These are qualities that India still has to offer.

“He can bowl the new ball, swing it both ways and then handle the pressure at the death,” Karthik said.

Bhuvneshwar’s experience could also come in handy in a pace group that includes younger options like Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav. PTI noted that his experience could help guide the emerging fast bowlers as India eyes the T20 World Cup in 2028.

Karthik, who was part of the Indian team when Bhuvneshwar last played for the country, said he was particularly pleased to see the pacer get another opportunity.

“I’m so, so happy, and it couldn’t have happened to a nicer man,” he said.

Karthik also recalled seeing Bhuvneshwar at the Hong Kong Sixes and said his last memory of India made the experience even more meaningful.

“When I saw you in the Hong Kong Sixes, I thought: Well, captain of the Indian team, fantastic. Now this news is even better,” said Karthik.

Bhuvneshwar will now return to the international squad for the five-match T20I series against New Zealand, with the first match scheduled for October 22.

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