Bhuvneshwar Kumar credits IPL and mindset shift for India T20I return

Veteran Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has opened up about his journey back to international cricket, attributing his return to a shift in mindset and consistent performances in domestic competitions. After a four-year hiatus from the national side, the 36-year-old recently rejoined the squad, initially as a replacement for the injured Arshdeep Singh during the T20I series against the West Indies.

While his first scheduled appearance was abandoned due to rain, Bhuvneshwar successfully returned to competitive action in the opening T20I against New Zealand. Reflecting on his time away from the international stage, the bowler emphasized that he stopped actively pursuing a spot in the Indian team, choosing instead to focus on his personal development and the demands of the Indian Premier League.

The pacer highlighted the pivotal role the IPL played in his growth during his time away from the national setup. He admitted that he did not actively chase the Indian jersey during those four years, a period that he believes taught him greater patience and maturity. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his international career, he continued to refine his skills and fitness, even finding success in the IPL, where he secured two titles in two years.

The experienced campaigner also touched upon the difficulties of bowling in SENA countries—South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia—where conditions often provide minimal assistance to the bowlers. According to Bhuvneshwar, navigating these challenges requires a combination of maturity, meticulous planning, and collective team effort. Looking ahead, he expressed optimism that a strong start in the series against New Zealand would provide the necessary confidence for the squad to maintain momentum across upcoming fixtures and different formats.