Bhuvneshwar Kumar: “Four Years Away Didn’t Feel Difficult”

The India pacer says he stayed focused on his bowling and never made a comeback his goal. That, he feels, is why the long wait was easier to handle.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar is back in India colours after nearly four years, and he says the time away wasn’t as hard as people might think.

The 36-year-old seamer returned to India’s T20I squad for the New Zealand series after a strong run for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL. For a bowler known for swing and control with the new ball, it’s a welcome new chapter.

Not chasing the comeback

Bhuvneshwar says the secret was not obsessing over a recall. He kept working on his fitness and his skills, and put his energy into whatever games he was getting.

By focusing on what was in front of him rather than on selection, he stayed patient and kept improving. His return also shows that steady performances in franchise and domestic cricket can still get a player noticed.

The IPL got him back in the picture

His form for RCB did the talking. He took 17 wickets in IPL 2025 and 28 in the 2026 season, which made a strong case for his place in the shortest format.

Earlier this year he was named in India’s XI for the fifth T20I against the West Indies, called up as cover for the injured Arshdeep Singh. Rain washed out the match before he got to bowl. The New Zealand series finally gave him his return.

A faster game

Bhuvneshwar knows T20 cricket has changed a lot while he was away. Batters now attack from the first ball, which puts more pressure on bowlers to get their plans exactly right.

He believes bowlers can still shape a match with smart, disciplined bowling and a clear idea of their strengths. His swing, variations and change of pace remain at the heart of how he bowls.

Taking it one game at a time

He isn’t setting far-off targets or treating this comeback as the defining moment of his career. He wants to make the most of each chance, and he has said domestic cricket stays in his plans beyond the New Zealand series.

His story is a reminder that steady effort can keep the door open, even when a return looks uncertain. For India, it brings back an experienced bowler who has played in all kinds of conditions. For Bhuvneshwar, the plan is simple: keep performing and see what follows.

Source: Times of India and India Today.