NEW DELHI: Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has strongly advocated for the return of veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar to India's T20I setup. This call comes after Bhuvneshwar delivered a stunning all-round performance, leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a dramatic two-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2026 season.
Bhuvneshwar's match-winning display
Bhuvneshwar starred in RCB's thrilling last-ball win in Raipur on Sunday. He finished with exceptional figures of 4/23 and later smashed a crucial six in the final over to guide the defending champions home in a tense chase. His performance with both bat and ball impressed Ashwin, who believes the veteran has done enough to deserve another opportunity in India colours.
Ashwin's praise for the all-round effort
Speaking on JioStar, Ashwin said, "Hashtag 'BringBackBhuvi', I'd love to see him being considered for the T20I side. He ticks the box with the new ball, is able to complete the death overs nicely, and if you need a six under pressure, he's hammering that as well in the toughest part of the ground."
Bhuvneshwar's bowling masterclass
Bhuvneshwar ripped through MI's top order with a masterclass in seam bowling. He dismissed Ryan Rickelton, Rohit Sharma, and Suryakumar Yadav during a fiery opening spell on a surface offering movement and uneven bounce. Ashwin was particularly impressed with how the experienced seamer adapted quickly to the conditions.
"That was proper Test-match bowling after he realised there was something on the surface. He keeps testing you as an opening batter," Ashwin said. "To dismiss Rohit Sharma with that peach, a slower ball that just swung, was quite incredible."
Selfless approach in death overs
The former India spinner also praised Bhuvneshwar's selfless approach during the death overs. "And later on, he was selfless enough to execute the yorker when he could have gone for a fourth wicket. Extremely happy for him," Ashwin added.
Bhuvneshwar's sensational season
Bhuvneshwar's impressive campaign continues to gain momentum. The RCB pacer currently leads the Purple Cap race with 21 wickets in 11 matches. His economy rate of 7.46 is the best among the top wicket-takers this season, highlighting his consistency in taking wickets and controlling runs.
RCB's win over MI lifted them to the top of the IPL standings while also knocking the five-time champions out of the playoff race. Stay updated with the latest IPL Live Score and news on Times of India. Follow the IPL Schedule, check the IPL Points Table, and track the race for the IPL Orange Cap and IPL Purple Cap.
