Never one to chase India’s comeback, Bhuvneshwar is set for a home grind after the NZ T20I

Results in brief: India (199 for 4 in 13.2 overs) beat New Zealand (198/3 in 20 overs) by 6 wickets to take a 3-0 lead in the five-match series. Scorecard | Highlighting

Bhuvneshwar Kumar is not looking too far ahead of his return to India. The 36-year-old pacer is all set to return to domestic cricket after the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand, having made it clear that he was never in a rush to return to the national team.

Bhuvneshwar returned to India’s T20I side for the first time since November 2022 after two impressive IPL seasons with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Speaking after India’s third T20I against New Zealand in Wellington, where The guests sealed the series 3:0he said that he was more focused on playing cricket than aiming for India’s comeback.

“To tell you the truth, I wasn’t chasing an Indian comeback. Yes, it’s a dream. I’m not saying I’m not happy. I’m very happy. To play for India, to represent India, it’s a matter of pride,” Bhuvneshwar said.

“So I’m very proud to have come back. But the truth is, I didn’t chase it. For four years, whatever came my way, tournaments, challenges, whatever, about cricket, about fitness, I just kept going. I never thought I wanted to play cricket just to come back to India.

“So I think the mentality made things very easy. Fortunately the performances came. I think all the credit goes to the two years of IPL performances. India’s comeback is happening because of that.”

BHUVI WANTED TO RETURN TO DOMESTIC CRICKET

Bhuvneshwar has no immediate plans to set long-term goals for himself. Instead, he wants to make the most of the opportunities that come his way and continue playing domestic cricket.

Temper said he was looking forward to participating in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy after the New Zealand series.

“I’m not thinking too far ahead. I’m happy with what I get. Of course I’ll play domestic cricket, whether it’s Vijay Hazare or Mushtaq Ali. I mean, I’m looking forward to it,” he said.

His performances in IPL he played a major role in earning another Indian call-up. Bhuvneshwar took 17 wickets in the 2025 season before taking 28 wickets in 2026, helping RCB win back-to-back titles.

He was also called up as cover for the fifth T20I against West Indies in Bengaluru earlier this year after Arshdeep Singh suffered an injury. Bhuvneshwar was named in the playing eleven but did not get a chance to play the match as the match was washed away by rain.

However, his return to international cricket was not easy. In the first three T20Is against New Zealand, he took just one wicket at an economy rate of 11.58, with the batsmen making the most of conditions that favored aggressive moves.

BHUVI PRAISES ABHISHEK, THE REAR OF THE BOHLERS

Bhuvneshwar also praised Abhishek Sharma for his attacking approach at the top of the order. The young pacer continued to put the opposition bowlers under pressure, but the senior pacer pointed out that it takes considerable skill to complete a T20 chase in the power bowler.

“It’s not the first time this has happened. But I think Abhishek should be credited for the way he batted. It wasn’t easy. It takes a lot of skill to finish the game in the first six overs in T20s, which Abhishek has shown time and again. Credit goes to him,” he said.

After spending four years away from the international setup, Bhuvneshwar has also noticed a change in the way batsmen approach the game. He said players are now more willing to keep attacking rather than taking their foot off the pedal after a big over.

“The mindset has changed a lot. It used to be that when runs are scored in an over, let’s play the last one or two balls. But now the mindset change is to just keep going. We can’t take that credit away from them,” he said.

New Zealand scored 198/3 in the third T20I with Daryl Mitchell and Bevon Jacobs among the contributors. However, Bhuvneshwar believes that the bowlers can still control the game if they execute their plans and submit to their strengths.

“I still believe that the bowler can control the game. The reason is that we bowlers feed the ball. The bowler can play where he wants and then it’s the batsman’s choice. Good bowlers still do well and are consistent,” he said.

India will face New Zealand in the fourth T20I in Auckland on October 30 before the series ends in Hamilton on November 1.

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