“How will this management give Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2-3 series?” - Former India cricketer’s blunt remark after NZ vs IND 2026 T20Is

Former Indian captain Kris Srikkanth believes veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s chances of continuing in India’s T20I side are over. He made that call after the five-match T20I series in New Zealand, where the 36-year-old seamer took one wicket in four games as India turned a 3-0 lead into a 3-2 win.

His series read 16 overs, one wicket, 180 runs, an average of 180.00, and an economy of 11.25.

Talking about Bhuvneshwar Kumar's future, Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel, Cheeky Cheeka:

"When the next selection comes, I don’t think he will be in the scheme of things. They will say we gave him a chance and he got smashed. When Suryavanshi himself barely gets two matches in a row, how will this management give Bhuvneshwar Kumar another two to three series?"

Srikkanth has argued all season that Vaibhav Suryavanshi needs a settled run, and he used the 15-year-old’s treatment as a measure of how much patience this management extends. Suryavanshi played two matches in New Zealand, made 4 in his first appearance and 45 off 19 balls in Wellington, then sat out the last two, including the finale with the series already decided.

"I really expected him to do well" - Kris Srikkanth on Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Kris Srikkanth expressed disappointment with Bhuvneshwar Kumar's performance in the New Zealand T20Is, irrespective of the pacer's future. Bhuvneshwar had not played for India since November 22, 2022, before the recent home series against the West Indies. His route back ran through the IPL: 17 wickets for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2025 and 28 in 2026, both title-winning seasons.

"Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been a big disappointment. I really expected him to do well, especially in the New Zealand conditions. I feel bad for him," said Srikkanth (via the aforementioned source).

Despite Bhuvneshwar's struggles, the Men in Blue won the five-match T20I series against the Kiwis 3-2. The selection committee has made no public statement on his future, and on Srikkanth’s reading, the next squad will answer for him.

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