Bhuvneshwar Kumar recalled to India T20I squad; last played for India in November 2022

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been named in India’s squad for the five-match T20I series in New Zealand that begins on October 22, and he last represented India in a T20I in November 2022 against New Zealand at McLean Park in Napier. The Board of Control for Cricket in India announced the T20I squad ahead of the tour.

The tour will open with a five-match T20I series starting October 22 before India and New Zealand move on to ODIs and Tests. The first T20I is scheduled at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on October 22, the second at the same venue on October 24, the third in Wellington on October 27, the fourth at Eden Park in Auckland on October 30 and the final T20I at Seddon Park in Hamilton on November 1. His recall to the T20I side was reported before the official announcement, with selectors having considered him for the five-match series.

Kumar’s last appearance for India in the shortest format came in November 2022 against New Zealand at McLean Park, Napier, where the match ended in a draw via the DLS method. The Black Caps won the toss and elected to bat; Devon Conway and Glenn Phillips each scored half-centuries to help New Zealand reach 160. Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj took four wickets between them, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar failed to take a wicket. India had reached 75/4 in nine overs when the match was called off.

Kumar has remained active in the Indian Premier League, including taking two wickets in the IPL 2026 final when Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Gujarat Titans to win their second consecutive title at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The coverage notes he has been an important member of Royal Challengers Bengaluru across the two seasons in which they won the title.

His recent IPL returns include 17 wickets in 14 matches in 2025 and 28 wickets in 16 matches in the subsequent years. Across his international T20 career, he has played 87 T20Is for India and taken 90 wickets.

India’s schedule places the first T20I only five days after the conclusion of their T20I series against the West Indies on October 17, meaning players will travel to the Oceania region with limited turnaround. The selection committee had been expected to consider resting certain players for the ODI and Test legs, and a report by Devendra Pandey of Indian Express suggested Bhuvneshwar Kumar was likely to be included in the T20I squad.

Kumar will be part of India’s squad for the five-match T20I series that begins at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on October 22, giving him the immediate opportunity to feature in the first game of the tour.