‘No one can stop Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar’: Ashwin’s bold prediction as pacer makes India comeback after four years

NEW DELHI: Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s return to international cricket could open the door for a remarkable return to the Indian ODI team, potentially taking the veteran to the World Cup after 50 years in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia next year.Bhuvneshwar, who returned to India colors after almost four years when he was selected for the upcoming five-match T20I series in New Zealand, last played an ODI against South Africa in Paarl in 2022.Ashwin feels the selectors will be keeping a close eye on Bhuvneshwar in New Zealand and that a successful series could immediately put him in contention for the ODI side ahead of the World Cup.“He’s going to New Zealand now. I’m telling you if he does well, everyone will immediately say take him in the ODI team too. The selectors will be watching very closely,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

‘No One Can Stop’ Bumrah-Bhuvneshwar Combination

Ashwin went a step further and said that Bhuvneshwar’s ability to swing the ball and maintain decent pace could make him a valuable option in South Africa and Australia conditions.“If he swings the ball and shows decent fitness, nobody can stop Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar sitting together on the World Cup flight, with Bhuvneshwar bowling the first ball in the World Cup,” Ashwin said.The 36-year-old seamer has played 121 ODIs and taken 141 wickets. His ability to move the ball both ways, especially with the new ball, is a skill that Ashwin believes could be particularly useful in conditions where seam and swing can play a major role.“You want swing? He’s got swing. If you want him to go one way, he can do that. If you want him to go both ways, he can do that too. And then he’s got decent pace,” he added.Bhuvneshwar’s recent performance in the IPL has also strengthened his case for an international comeback. He played a key role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s back-to-back IPL titles, taking 17 wickets in the 2025 season and 28 in the 2026 season.

Ashwin highlights one major concern

While Ashwin remains optimistic about Bhuvneshwar’s skills, he stressed that fitness could be key if the pacer is to extend his international career and push for a World Cup spot.“I’m sticking my neck out again to say this: if he worked a little harder, if the timing was right and if he avoided these injuries, with the skills he has, he could have been king for India in all formats,” he said.Apart from 21 Tests and 121 ODIs, Bhuvneshwar played 87 T20Is and took 90 wickets. His return also gives India another experienced seamer alongside Jasprit Bumrah while potentially offering leadership to younger pacers like Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav.India will play five T20Is against New Zealand later this month before the tour moves into the ODI and Test phase, giving Bhuvneshwar an immediate opportunity to push for a longer international comeback.