Senior pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s return to international cricket has potentially been pre-poned, as he’s been called up to the India squad for the 5th T20I against the West Indies.
Bhuvneshwar last played for India in November 2022 as the likes of Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, and Mohammed Siraj rose in stature in white-ball cricket.
However, now, Bhuvneshwar is in line to replace, incidentally, Arshdeep to mark this comeback in the Indian jersey after almost four years.
Arshdeep sustained a hit to his left shoulder by fast bowler Shamar Joseph in the IND vs WI 4th T20I, which India lost in Hyderabad, where the West Indies levelled the series and forced it into a decider.
The IND vs WI 5th T20I, which will be the series-deciding game as it stands 2-2, will be hosted at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday, October 17.
It all seems so destined for Bhuvneshwar to make his return in Bengaluru. Bhuvneshwar has had two stellar IPL seasons for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). In IPL 2026, he bagged 28 wickets and was the second-highest wicket-taker of the season.
Incidentally, Bhuvneshwar was the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru for a fitness assessment, as he was gearing up to fly to New Zealand for the T20I series.
Bhuvneshwar was named in India’s squad for the 5-match T20I series in New Zealand, which begins on October 22. But his much-awaited comeback to international cricket is expected to be held this Saturday.
IND vs WI: Who Will Bhuvneshwar Kumar Replace In India Playing XI In 5th T20I?
Bhuvneshwar is all but certain to replace Arshdeep in the India playing XI in Bengaluru against the West Indies.
The BCCI has not officially ruled Arshdeep out of the 5th T20I, saying that “a decision on his participation for the final T20I will be taken prior to the game based on his recovery.” However, considering that the New Zealand tour is on the horizon, Arshdeep may not be pushed to play.
Further, India could also bring back Kuldeep Yadav in the lineup following the thrashing the bowlers received in Hyderabad. Kuldeep featured in the first two matches of this series before being benched for the next two. He still has the second-best economy among all Indian bowlers used in the IND vs WI T20I series.
Former off-spinner R Ashwin has expressed surprise at Kuldeep’s exclusion. The wrist-spinner may replace Mayank Yadav in the bowling attack, while Prince Yadav, Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, and Nitish Kumar Reddy are the other bowling options in the side that featured in Hyderabad.
India playing XI – predicted for India vs West Indies 5th T20I:
- Abhishek Sharma
- Sanju Samson (wk)
- Shreyas Iyer (C)
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Ishan Kishan (wk)
- Tilak Varma
- Axar Patel
- Naman Dhir
- Prince Yadav
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Mayank Yadav/Kuldeep Yadav
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