Bhuvneshwar Kumar concedes 0/49 in first T20I at Hagley Oval

On October 22, 2026, Bhuvneshwar Kumar returned to bowl for India and finished with figures of 0/49 in the first Twenty20 International against New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. India captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to bowl.

The 36-year-old pacer had been recalled to the Indian squad after nearly four years and was part of the side for the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand. He had also featured in the recently concluded T20I series against West Indies and was named in the playing XI for the fifth T20I in Bengaluru, but that match was washed out and he did not bowl. The last time he had bowled for India at international level was in November 2022 against New Zealand in Napier.

Bhuvneshwar opened the bowling and produced a tidy first over that cost four runs. He was less effective in his second over during the powerplay, which began with a no-ball and finished for 17 runs. The start offered promise, but he was unable to sustain the control he showed in that opening over.

India brought him back for a second spell in the 16th over, where he bowled another no-ball. That subsequent over went for 14 runs. He was then handed the final over of the innings.

In the last over he delivered two wides and 14 runs were scored off the over. Across his four overs he conceded 49 runs without taking a wicket. The outing was described in the report as a poor comeback in Indian colours and was recorded as his second-most expensive spell in T20Is.

He will surely be disappointed with his performance. He will be hoping for a better comeback in the second game.