The veteran pacer earned a recall for the T20I tour of New Zealand after his standout performances helped Royal Challengers Bengaluru secure consecutive IPL titles in 2025 and 2026. Recalled veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar can be lethal with the new ball if New Zealand’s early-season pitches offer swing and seam. Bhuvneshwar returned to India’s T20I squad for the first time in nearly four years when he recently featured in the washed-out series decider against the West Indies in Bengaluru.
In addition, he brings a calming presence to India’s bowling line-up ahead of the T20I series starting on Thursday, former Black Caps fast bowler Shane Bond said.
Bond also sees the T20I series as a useful rehearsal for India’s younger quicks ahead of the next T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand in 2028. Because he can be lethal with the new ball, let alone being a quality finisher,” Bond told IANS in an exclusive conversation, i’m looking forward to watching him bowl, particularly in conditions that might swing and seam.
Bond said bowlers’ lengths would stay largely the same in the shortest format, though the biggest question is about the nature of pitches in Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland and Hamilton. “It’s great to see Bhuvi back in the international circuit. He’s a great bowler and has been so good in the IPL for so long. What it’s like to have someone like him in the team is just a calming influence. He’s bowled in big moments so often and always is a man who looks up for it and always looks calm and composed in those moments. “It’s always nice to have a senior bowler in your team, particularly in those death overs where, alongside the captain, you can lean on him. So, he’ll be stoked and deserves his chance back in the team. “They’ve certainly got pace and if you look ahead to the next World Cup, which will be played in New Zealand and Australia, there’s an opportunity to bring some young bowlers over who could potentially make that team and allow them to experience the conditions, training environments and just what it’s like to travel around New Zealand. “Little things like that can make a difference through having experience here, as well as the India A team that’s also here. All those things add up when you’ve got a big tournament that’s only a year and a half away. Both teams have quality fast-bowling groups and that goes across all three formats.”
