Morkel urges Bhuvneshwar to block expectations as he returns for third T20I in Wellington

Morne Morkel told Bhuvneshwar Kumar not to chase expectations as the veteran fast bowler returned to international cricket after four years, speaking on the eve of the third T20I against New Zealand in Wellington on Tuesday. The bowling coach acknowledged the pressure around the recall and said the key message was for Bhuvneshwar to focus on his own game rather than outside noise.

Bhuvneshwar was recalled to India’s T20I squad for the fifth match against the West Indies in Bengaluru on October 17 but did not bowl after rain interrupted the contest. He had not played competitive cricket for four months prior to his call-up and was preparing for the New Zealand tour at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru when he was added to the West Indies squad. His selection followed two productive IPL seasons, when he took 17 wickets in the 2025 season before returning with 28 in 2026 and helped Royal Challengers Bengaluru to consecutive title wins.

Morkel said he sympathised with Bhuvneshwar’s situation and warned about the burden of expectations. "Look, I've got a lot of sympathy for his return," Morkel said. "The reason why I say that is, one, there will be expectation after four years to come out. He's done exceptionally well in the IPL. He's bowled really well. One is to block the expectation factor out."

The left-arm seamer's first two outings against New Zealand were difficult: he conceded 49 runs without taking a wicket in the series opener in Christchurch and gave away 50 runs in the second T20I, in which he picked up a wicket in the powerplay. Those figures came as New Zealand posted 225 for four in the first T20I and 180 for five in the second, both matches at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

Morkel pointed to the limited match practice Bhuvneshwar had before rejoining international cricket and said training did not replicate the margins of live matches. "Two, leading into his selection, I mean, there was a month of cricket where, yes, he trained, but this is a different beast coming and playing international cricket where the margins are small. So he had to come in with limited training because of the schedule to get himself ready," Morkel said.

Alongside technical work, Morkel has been managing expectations internally and urging a measured return to form. "So the skill and his experience, everything is there. But at the end of the day, we have to respect the game of cricket and you have to be able to allow him to just find his feet in some of the games," Morkel said. "And for me, that has been the message from the start when he joined the squad, is to, you know, don't chase anything. Just be you. Yes, there will be expectations. But just every game you'll get better and every game you'll find your rhythm. So let's not think about any outside noises. Just be you and connect with that."

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner had backed Bhuvneshwar to enjoy the conditions, citing the pacer's ability to extract movement even from surfaces that appear flat. With Jasprit Bumrah absent from the tour, Bhuvneshwar also has an opportunity to guide a relatively young pace attack in the remainder of the series.

Bhuvneshwar will aim to improve on his early returns when India face New Zealand in the third T20I in Wellington on Tuesday.