Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been an unstoppable force in IPL 2026. The 36-year-old has topped the list of leading wicket-takers in IPL 2026 at the end of the 1st innings of the IPL 2026 final between GT and RCB. While the pacer made his last appearance for Team India in a T20I nearly 4 years ago, there is nothing to hardly stop him from making a comeback after a phenomenal IPL 2026 season. The selectors are forced to make a decision in his favour, and there are multiple reasons for it.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar rises from the ashes in IPL 2026
In IPL 2026, Bhuvi has finished with 28 wickets to his name from 16 matches, at a mind-boggling average of 17.89. Out of the 378 balls that he has bowled in this season, he has conceded 501 runs. Bhuvneshwar’s prowess in IPL 2026 is a sign that the Indian selectors should take note of, and give him yet another chance in T20Is. In the IPL 2026 between RCB and GT, Kumar registered figures of 2/29 from his 4 overs. His best spell of the season was 4/23 against Mumbai Indians. In fact, Kumar has the most wickets taken by an Indian fast-bowler a single edition of the IPL.
| Mat | Balls | Runs | Wkts | Ave | Econ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | 378 | 501 | 28 | 17.89 | 7.95 |
After all, the last time the pacer played for India in the shortest format of the game was in 2022. First of all, Bhuvi has been one the best bowlers for RCB in the powerplay in IPL 2026. Not just in the first six overs, the pacer has also proved that he is an able bowler in the middle and the death overs as well.
In 2023, for SRH, in 14 matches, he picked 16 wickets — including a fifer, where his economy was 8.33. The next year, in 14 game for the same team, he picked 11 wickets at an economy of 9.35. Last season where RCB won their first title, he played an instrumental role — picking up 17 wickets in 14.
Now, it is pertinent to point out that the selectors are hell bent on moving forward, and hence, aren’t looking at players who have gone out of favour. This includes bowlers like Mohammed Shami. But, Bhuvneshwar’s performance in IPL 2026 makes him very hard to ignore. Surely, he could be a part of the squad for the series against Ireland and England, even though he is unlikely to be part of the next T20 World Cup squad.
It is pertinent to point out that the selectors will be focused on ensuring that Jasprit Bumrah’s workload is managed efficiently so that he can be a part of the ODI World Cup in 2027. Harshit Rana is yet to make his return to competitive cricket after going under the knife earlier this year. Nitish Kumar Reddy and Hardik Pandya both have their own fair share of injury concerns. Meanwhile, pacers like Siraj and Krishna are all-format players. Therefore, apart from depending on youngsters like Anshul Kamboj and others, the selectors can opt for a safe route by selecting Bhuvi in the T20I setup for the upcoming series, for they have nothing to lose.
Kumar made his T20I debut way back in 2012. In 87 games, he picked up 90 wickets, with best figures of 5/4. Known as the ‘swing king’, the fast-bowler – via his performances in IPL 2026 – has once again made his point as to why he still one of the best in the business, and deserves a comeback, at least for one final time.
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