Veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar finally made his way back to the India squad. The bowler has been named in the 16-member team announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for the five-match T20I series against New Zealand, beginning October 22. Bhuvneshwar, who last played a T20I for India in November 2022, has been recalled to a largely unchanged squad led by Shreyas Iyer, with his ability to extract swing expected to be particularly useful in New Zealand conditions. The selection brings an end to a lengthy wait for the right-arm pacer, who has remained a popular figure among Indian cricket supporters despite his prolonged absence from the international setup.

While speaking on his return to the national set-up, India’s legendary spinner R Ashwin praised the pacer. He added that Bhuvneshwar would not have even thought about making a comeback.

“I don’t think Bhuvneshwar Kumar even thought about or planned for a comeback. His success mantra is that he has gone on his own journey. He stayed in the moment and was only focused on doing well for RCB, which is what he did. The reward he has got now with his return to the side is the fruit of his success. But he never went searching for the fruit. He just did his job, and now he has got the success,” Ashwin said on Vimal Kumar’s YouTube channel.

Ashwin also praised teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for his batting ability. He added that the 15-year-old should enjoy his time while waiting for his next opportunity.

India are currently playing Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma as their opening pair in T20Is, with Sooryavanshi warming the bench.

“Sooryavanshi is a prodigy and an entertainer with God-given gifts. Cricket is also deep-rooted in him, so he understands the game very well. We know Vaibhav will have a great career. But until then, he should enjoy himself as Sanju and Abhishek open. Sanju has had to wait a long time to get chances consistently. He was hardly getting any opportunities. However, when it rains, it pours. So what he didn’t get for years, he got during one T20 World Cup.”