Bhuvneshwar Kumar has played his last for India, fears Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin questioned Bhuvneshwar Kumar's international future after his difficult T20I comeback against New Zealand. The veteran pacer's sharp decline from his IPL form has left another India opportunity uncertain.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar might have played his last for India, fears R Ashwin. (PTI Photo)

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes that Bhuvneshwar Kumar has played his last for the Indian national team. Bhuvneshwar, who made a comeback into the T20I side on the back of two terrific Indian Premier League seasons, failed to impress in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand.

The boundary distances perhaps did not allow Bhuvneshwar to bowl his usual lengths, where he could keep the ball full and find swing. This resulted in him resorting to shorter deliveries, which the New Zealand batters were able to attack.

Ashwin, speaking on his YouTube channel, was particularly concerned by the difference between the fast bowler's IPL performances and his showing in the international series. The former spinner felt that Bhuvneshwar's return had not gone as hoped and questioned whether there was a way back for the experienced pacer.

"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.

BHUVNESHWAR FAILS TO REPRODUCE IPL FORM

Bhuvneshwar had made a strong case for an India return with his performances in IPL 2026. Playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the pacer picked up 28 wickets in 16 matches and was among the standout bowlers of the tournament.

However, he struggled to reproduce that form against New Zealand. His first outing was particularly expensive, as he conceded 49 runs in four overs without taking a wicket. He picked up his only wicket of the series in the second T20I, dismissing Daryl Mitchell, but still gave away 50 runs.

The third match brought another wicketless outing, with Bhuvneshwar conceding 40 runs. He missed the fourth T20I before returning for the final match, where he again failed to take a wicket and was taken for 41 runs.

He finished the series with just one wicket and an economy rate of 11.50, a disappointing return for a bowler who had been one of the most effective performers in the IPL.

ASHWIN CRITICISES BHUVNESHWAR'S PREP

Ashwin felt the concern went beyond the runs Bhuvneshwar conceded or the wickets he failed to take. He pointed to the pacer's intensity, run-up and bowling speed, suggesting that his preparation ahead of the series may not have been at the required level.

"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 said.

The former India spinner also explained why Bhuvneshwar's experience could work against him when it comes to earning another opportunity. While younger players might be given a longer run to establish themselves, an established international bowler returning to the side would be expected to deliver immediately.

"If that's the condition, the selectors will also think, 'Is this the way'? If you're a new kid or a young boy, you'll get ten chances. But you're an experienced guy coming back," he added.

Bhuvneshwar, who last played an international match for India in November 2022 before his return, has been one of the country's leading white-ball pacers. But after a difficult comeback series, his hopes of extending his international career have taken a significant hit.