CRITICAL CROSSROADS: R Ashwin signals the end of the road for Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s international comeback
The unforgiving nature of international cricket has once again come into sharp focus, with veteran spinner R Ashwin suggesting that the window for Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s career at the highest level may have finally slammed shut. Following a lackluster showing in the recent T20I series against New Zealand, the veteran pacer finds himself at the center of a growing conversation regarding his future, with his erstwhile teammate now casting serious doubt on his path back to the national squad.
Bhuvneshwar, who earned a recall to the Indian setup after a four-year hiatus, entered the series against the Black Caps buoyed by a sensational 2026 IPL campaign. However, the transition from domestic glory to international scrutiny proved far more hazardous than anticipated. Over the course of four matches, the 36-year-old managed only a single wicket, leaking 180 runs in the process. For a bowler renowned for his precision and swing, the statistical output—an economy rate of 11.50—served as a stark reality check.
A Disconcerting Dip in Intensity
Speaking candidly on his YouTube channel, Ashwin did not mince words regarding the quality of Bhuvneshwar’s performances. While acknowledging the pacer’s stellar form in the IPL, where he secured 28 wickets in 16 matches to stake his claim for a comeback, Ashwin noted a “night and day” difference between his club level performance and his international execution in New Zealand.
“Bhuvneshwar Kumar hasn’t bowled that well; he didn’t prove his form,” Ashwin remarked. “There was a night and day difference between his IPL form and here. I think that chapter is maybe closed. It’s very difficult. How will he come back?”
The critique went beyond the scorecard. Ashwin pointed to a fundamental lack of physical readiness, suggesting that Bhuvneshwar’s preparation may have fallen short of the standard required for the high-octane demands of T20I cricket.
“Leave performance, leave giving extra runs. It’s not that,” Ashwin explained. “What was disappointing, I felt the way he bowls in the IPL—the intensity, his run-up speed was lower, and his bowling speed was also lower. That tells me maybe he didn’t come in prime training form for this series.”
The Weight of Experience
The situation is compounded by the harsh reality of team selection hierarchies. When a young player struggles, selectors are often inclined to offer a longer leash, viewing inconsistency as a byproduct of the learning curve. However, for a seasoned veteran like Bhuvneshwar, the margin for error is razor-thin.
“If that’s the condition, the selectors will also think, ‘Is this the way?’” Ashwin observed. “If you’re a new kid or a young boy, you’ll get ten chances. But you’re an experienced guy coming back.”
This sentiment underscores the difficult position in which the national selectors now find themselves. Having bet on an experienced hand to lead the bowling attack, the lack of return on that investment leaves them with little justification to bypass younger prospects or other experienced bowlers currently putting in the hard yards elsewhere.
The Path Forward: Shifting Focus to Mohammed Shami
As one veteran’s door appears to close, Ashwin is keen to point toward another potential solution for the Indian team’s fast-bowling stocks. He has publicly championed Mohammed Shami, who has been sidelined from the international circuit for over 18 months, as the man better suited to stabilize the pace attack.
Shami, who has been steadily building rhythm while representing Bengal in the Ranji Trophy, has impressed observers with his commitment to domestic cricket. Ashwin believes this time in the red-ball format has provided Shami with the necessary conditioning and competitive fire that was missing in the recent T20I displays.
“Right now, I’m thinking that the way Shami is coming in Ranji and bowling, he is in much better rhythm,” Ashwin stated, signaling that the momentum in the selection debate may have shifted decisively toward the Bengal speedster.
Looking Ahead to the Sri Lanka Series
With India’s next T20I assignment—a three-match home series against Sri Lanka—looming in December, the management faces an urgent decision. The focus will now shift to whether the selectors decide to persist with the old guard or initiate a broader transition.
For Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the road back from here looks increasingly steep. If the observations from peers like Ashwin are any indication, the selectors may well look to prioritize current form over past reputation. As the Indian team looks to reshape its bowling lineup for the future, the coming weeks will likely confirm whether the New Zealand series was merely a rough patch or, as Ashwin fears, the final chapter of a storied international career.
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