‘The chapter may be closed’: R Ashwin fears Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s India career may be over

Bhuvneshwar Kumar (BCCI Photo) Ravichandran Ashwin feels that Bhuvneshwar Kumar might struggle to make a comeback in the Indian team after his disappointing comeback in the T20I series against New Zealand. The former India spinner believes the door may have closed for the veteran pacer and has backed Mohammed Shami to get another chance.Bhuvneshwar returned to the Indian T20I side after four years but failed to make a strong impression. The 36-year-old managed just one wicket in four matches and conceded 180 runs.Ashwin said on his YouTube channel that Bhuvneshwar’s performances in the series are nowhere near the form he showed in IPL 2026.“Bhuvneshwar Kumar didn’t play that well, he didn’t show his form,” Ashwin said.“There was a night and day difference between his IPL form and here (the New Zealand series). I think that chapter is maybe closed. It’s very difficult. How will he come back?” he added.

Bhuvneshwar fails to impress

Bhuvneshwar earned his Indian comeback after an impressive IPL 2026 season where he took 28 wickets in 16 matches and was arguably the best bowler of the tournament.However, he struggled to carry that form into the New Zealand series. He went wicketless in the opening T20I conceding 49 runs in four overs at an economy rate of 12.25.He picked up his only wicket of the series in the second game when he dismissed Daryl Mitchell for six. However, he gave away 50 runs in his four overs.The experienced pacer failed to take a wicket even in the third T20I and conceded 40 runs. He missed the fourth match before returning for the series finale where he was again wicketless and conceded 41 runs.Overall, he finished the series with one wicket and an economy rate of 11.50.

Ashwin questions Bhuvneshwar’s preparation

Ashwin felt that the difference in Bhuvneshwar’s intensity and bowling speed was the main problem. He also questioned whether the pacer had prepared enough before the series.“Leave the performance, get out and give extra runs. It’s not that. What was disappointing, I could feel him jumping in the IPL – the intensity, the run-up rate was lower and the bowling rate was also lower. That tells me he may not have come into this series in the best training form,” pointed out Ashwin.He also explained why it was difficult for the selectors to give the experienced player another chance after such a performance.“If it’s a condition, selectors also think, ‘Is this the way to go’? If you’re a new lad or a young lad, you get ten chances. But you’re an experienced lad coming back,” he further said.

Ashwin backs Shami for India’s comeback

Ashwin believes Mohammed Shami could now have a stronger case for India’s comeback than Bhuvneshwar.Shami hasn’t played for India in over a year and a half but has shown good pace while representing Bengal in the ongoing Ranji Trophy.“Right now I think the way Shami is coming in Ranji and bowling, he is in a much better rhythm (than Bhuvneshwar),” Ashwin said.India’s next T20I assignment will be a three-match home series against Sri Lanka in December.