Morkel urges Bhuvneshwar to focus on himself amid difficult T20I return in New Zealand series
India bowling coach Morne Morkel on 2026-10-26 advised 36-year-old Bhuvneshwar Kumar to stop chasing expectations and concentrate on being himself after a challenging return to the national T20I side during the ongoing series against New Zealand. Bhuvneshwar has conceded 99 runs in eight overs and taken one wicket across the first two games of the series.
Bhuvneshwar rejoined India’s T20I setup for the New Zealand series after last representing the country in the format in November 2022. His recall followed an outstanding IPL 2026 campaign for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in which he took 28 wickets in 16 matches, finishing as the tournament’s second-highest wicket-taker behind Kagiso Rabada’s 29. The seamer also featured prominently in RCB’s title-winning campaign. Morkel has publicly backed Bhuvneshwar despite the bowler’s difficult start to international cricket.
In the two T20Is played so far, Bhuvneshwar returned figures of 0/49 in the first match and 1/50 in the second, combining for the 99 runs conceded in eight overs. Those individual match figures underline the expensive start he has endured in this series. The lone wicket in those eight overs remains his only dismissal since his recall to the side.
Morkel emphasised that returning to international cricket after a four-year absence presents a different challenge, particularly when preparation time has been limited. He expressed confidence in Bhuvneshwar’s skills and experience while arguing that the bowler will need time to settle back into the international environment. The coach’s core advice was for Bhuvneshwar to avoid external pressure and allow his performances to improve as he regains rhythm.
The coaching staff still rate Bhuvneshwar’s ability to swing the new ball and vary pace at the death as important assets. His control of line and length has been central to his success in T20 cricket historically, and the team view regaining that consistency as crucial after the expensive opening two games. Morkel and the support staff have framed the current phase as part of a readjustment rather than an immediate form failure.
The article notes a contrast between Bhuvneshwar’s IPL form and the demands of international cricket, stating that batters at the international level are often better prepared to target even experienced bowlers. Bhuvneshwar is expected to focus on improving accuracy, control and execution as the series progresses, according to the report.
India won the first two T20Is against New Zealand by margins of four wickets in each game, but Bhuvneshwar’s individual returns remain an area to monitor. With the series continuing, the veteran pacer will have further opportunities to respond to his difficult start and to justify the faith shown in him by the team management.