Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes Bhuvneshwar Kumar may struggle to earn another opportunity in India’s white-ball teams after a disappointing return to international cricket. Ashwin also suggested that Mohammed Shami could currently be better placed to make a comeback, pointing to the fast bowler’s recent performances in the Ranji Trophy.
Bhuvneshwar returned to India’s T20I setup after a four-year absence, following an impressive IPL 2026 campaign in which he claimed 28 wickets in 16 matches. However, the 36-year-old managed just one wicket in four matches against New Zealand, conceding runs at an economy rate of 11.50.
Speaking in a recent YouTube video, Ashwin felt the gap between Bhuvneshwar’s IPL performances and his displays in the New Zealand series was significant enough to raise questions about his future in the national side.
“Bhuvneshwar Kumar hasn’t bowled that well; he didn’t prove his form,” Ashwin said.
“There was a night and day difference between his IPL form and here (New Zealand series). I think that chapter is maybe closed. It’s very difficult. How will he come back?” he added.
Ashwin also pointed to a drop in Bhuvneshwar’s bowling intensity, run-up speed and pace during the series. He felt these aspects suggested that the experienced pacer may not have arrived in peak training condition.
“Leave performance, leave giving extra runs. It’s not that. What was disappointing, I felt the way he bowls in the IPL, the intensity, his run-up speed was lower, and his bowling speed was also lower. That tells me maybe he didn’t come in prime training form for this series,” Ashwin explained.
He added that selectors could assess an experienced player returning to the team differently from a youngster receiving his first opportunities.
Ashwin then made a case for Shami, who has not represented India for more than 18 months. The senior pacer has been featuring for Bengal in the ongoing Ranji Trophy and, according to Ashwin, has shown better rhythm with the ball than Bhuvneshwar.
“Right now I’m thinking that the way Shami is coming in Ranji and bowling, he is in much better rhythm (than Bhuvneshwar),” Ashwin said.
India’s next T20I assignment is a three-match home series against Sri Lanka in December, which could provide the selectors with another opportunity to assess their pace-bowling options.
