Before the 2027 ODI World Cup, former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has asked the BCCI selectors to think about reintroducing Bhuvneshwar Kumar into India’s ODI lineup. He thinks Bhuvneshwar still has a lot to offer and that the team’s current speed attack is inexperienced.
Bhuvneshwar’s return to the spotlight can be attributed to his incredible back-to-back IPL seasons for RCB, which broke the generational curse and saw the team win consecutive titles.
Therefore, previous legend Ravichandran Ashwin has encouraged Bhuvneshwar Kumar for a possible comeback ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup. He claimed that the bowler had a lot to give in international cricket despite his advanced age.
Furthermore, Ashwin gave Bhuvneshwar a higher ranking than the 2023 ODI World Cup star Mohammed Shami. He clarified that during the previous two IPL seasons, Bhuvneshwar has maintained his fitness.
Why not? There is some problem with our current quick bowling stocks. I believe Bhuvneshwar Kumar should be taken into consideration. Why don’t you think of him? Shami and Bhuvneshwar differ in just one way. Ashwin posted on YouTube, “Bhuvi has been able to keep himself fit and put himself on the pitch for two seasons together for RCB.”
Unlike Shami, who has struggled with injuries since 2023, he has continuously been eligible for selection.
He was one of the top three reasons why both teams, RCB, won the championship. He appears sufficiently fit. I’m not advocating for him to be taken right away, but at least give him an opportunity before making a decision. He can bat a little, swing the ball, and give you overs in the last moments. He’s a great batsman,” he continued.
Ashwin believes that India’s time is running out.
Nevertheless, Ashwin made it clear that he is not requesting that selectors immediately include Bhuvneshwar in the World Cup team. Rather, he wants to be brought back into the conversation by the selectors.
You can keep him in mind just due to the bowling attack’s extreme inexperience. Would you like to bowl for Gurnoor, Prasidh, and Prince in a World Cup? I’m not entirely certain. From these, you can have one or two. Other than that, you have Bumrah and Harshit. Therefore, youth and experience will work nicely with Bhuvneshwar.
In order to determine whether Kumar is still capable of playing at the top level, he wants to see him given opportunities in ODI cricket. And Ashwin believes that the opportunity to develop fresh talent like Prince Yadav or Gurnoor Brar has passed, with just over a year remaining before the competition.
With a whole year left, now is not the time to develop players. Choosing your four or five pacers—of which you will select three for the World Cup—is crucial. For this reason, you also need to include someone like Bhuvneshwar Kumar in conversations.
When was Bhuvneshwar’s final match for India?
It’s interesting to note that Bhuvneshwar Kumar was dropped from the Indian cricket team in 2022 since he hadn’t participated in an ODI match since January of that year. However, he has continued to work hard in domestic cricket ever since.
He regularly represents Uttar Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy. In addition, he took 17 wickets in the 2025 IPL, helping RCB win their first championship.
Furthermore, Kumar became RCB’s top wicket-taker of the season in IPL 2026 with 28 wickets, and his performance once more aided the team in winning the championship.
