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Looking at the way Arshdeep Singh bowled against the Rajasthan Royals on Tuesday night, and the inconsistency shown by fellow Indian pacers like Jasprit Bumrah and Co., perhaps it’s time the selectors revisit the case of Bhuvneshwar Kumar ahead of next year’s ODI World Cup in South Africa.
Dismissing Bhuvneshwar purely on the basis of age — he is 36 — may not be the strongest argument. While Indian cricket has rightly focused on long-term planning, there is also a compelling case for short-term goals. Experience, especially in conditions like South Africa, can still hold immense value, and Bhuvneshwar’s skill set could prove to be a crucial asset if form and fitness are on his side.
With a growing sentiment around bringing back experience in the ODI setup — especially someone like Mohammed Shami — Bhuvneshwar Kumar can’t be overlooked.
That said, the selectors may not be immediately inclined to include him in the ODI squad. But form has a way of forcing conversations. The way Bhuvneshwar is bowling in the ongoing Indian Premier League, any rational cricketing mind would at least be tempted to reconsider.
More importantly, it’s not just about the IPL. Bhuvneshwar has remained active on the domestic circuit as well, consistently delivering performances. Credit must go to his disciplined fitness regime, which has allowed him to sustain both rhythm and relevance at this stage of his career.
Against the Delhi Capitals, Bhuvneshwar Kumar showed, yet again, exactly what he is capable of with the ball. At a time when bowlers across the Indian Premier League are being taken to the cleaners, he has carved out an identity of his own.
It’s not about raw pace anymore — it’s about control, variation, and intelligence. Bhuvneshwar is using subtle changes in length, seam position, and movement to outthink batters. In many ways, he is letting the ball do all the talking, relying on craft rather than force — and that’s precisely what sets him apart even in a format dominated by power-hitting.
With the 2027 ODI World Cup set to be held in South Africa — where pitches traditionally assist quality swing bowling — Bhuvneshwar Kumar could well be the perfect icing on the cake.
It’s not just about his ability to move the ball both ways or his trademark control. Even now, he can push close to the 140 km/h mark, which adds an extra edge to his craft. That combination of swing, accuracy, and deceptive pace is not something the selectors can afford to ignore, especially in conditions that are tailor-made for bowlers of his skill set.
