"Lacking Zip, Pace Slow": Bhuvneshwar Kumar's New Zealand Struggles Draw 1983 World Cup Winner's Concern
When he was picked for the New Zealand tour, it was Bhuvneshwar Kumar's first call-up in almost four years
Bhuvneshwar Kumar's comeback to the Indian cricket team for the T20I series against New Zealand promises a lot for the future. When he was picked for the New Zealand tour, it was Bhuvneshwar's first call-up in almost four years. The call-up is being seen as the first step towards using Bhuvneshwar in other formats too. He got an early opportunity after being inducted into the squad for the fifth T20I against the West Indies as well. So far, his figures in the three matches against New Zealand are 0/49, 1/50 and 0/40. His figures are not exactly impressive, but several former cricketers have called for patience.
1983 World Cup winner Krishnamachari Srikkanth pointed out that Bhuvneshwar was at his best in IPL 2026, where he picked up 28 wickets in 16 matches. It was the most by any Indian player.
"I am not sure what's wrong with Bhuvneshwar Kumar. His pace is low, and I am not sure what has happened to him. His ball is lacking any zip and is reaching the batter like a harmless flower. In the IPL, he bowled with such great zip," Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar revealed that he never chased an India comeback during his four-year absence from the national team and credited his family for playing a key role in helping him through that period.
Bhuvneshwar returned to India's playing XI in the first T20I against New Zealand in Christchurch, marking his first appearance for the national team since 2022. The 36-year-old pacer earned a recall nearly four years later following a series of consistent performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Speaking in a video uploaded by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Bhuvneshwar reflected on his journey back to the national side and explained how staying in the present, without setting expectations for himself, helped shape his approach over the last three to four years.
"Family, I know there is not much to say about family, but credit goes to them as well. I think it would be surprising for many that we did not even once, for a single day, talk about a comeback to the Indian team. I think that played a big role," he said.
"I have not set any expectations for myself. I think that's how things worked out for me in the last three to four years. No expectations, just keep doing your work. Generally, we talk about being present and not thinking about the future. I think that's the headspace I am in right now, and that has been the case over the last three to four years. I know I didn't play for the country, but the things I did and the maturity I gained as a person taught me to just live in the present," he added.
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