Cricket

Bhuvneshwar Kumar embraces international return with relaxed mindset

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Oct 28, 2026, 10:20 IST

After a four-year absence from the international setup, veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar reflects on his return to the Indian squad, crediting his recent IPL form and a focused, step-by-step approach to his career.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar embraces international return with relaxed mindset

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has returned to the international fold with a pragmatic outlook, insisting that his lengthy four-year hiatus from the national side did not weigh heavily on his mindset. Rather than fixating on a potential long-term future or the 2027 ODI World Cup, the experienced seamer is prioritising the immediate challenges of his comeback and the enjoyment of being back in the Indian dressing room.

The pacer, who last featured for India in 2022, attributes his return to consistent performances over the last two seasons of the Indian Premier League. By focusing on fitness and individual tournament goals rather than chasing a specific recall, he managed to maintain a balanced perspective throughout his time away from the highest level of the game.

Focusing on the present

Reflecting on his journey back to the squad, Bhuvneshwar noted that his approach remained simple throughout his absence. He emphasised that he never felt the pressure of needing to force a return, which allowed him to concentrate on his cricket and physical conditioning. This steady progression, bolstered by his recent domestic and franchise form, ultimately paved the way for his current inclusion.

Looking ahead, the bowler plans to return to India following the conclusion of the current T20I series. He intends to participate in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy, using these domestic competitions to evaluate his form and future opportunities within the national setup.

Praise for Abhishek Sharma

Beyond his own return, Bhuvneshwar took a moment to commend the aggressive batting display of teammate Abhishek Sharma. He highlighted the skill required to dominate the opening powerplay, noting that Sharma’s ability to dictate terms early in the innings has become a consistent feature of his game over the past two years.

Bhuvneshwar acknowledged that the conditions were not straightforward for batters, making Sharma’s performance particularly impressive. By successfully navigating the initial overs, the young batter provided a significant boost to the team, a trait that the veteran pacer believes is a testament to his growing maturity and technical proficiency at the crease.