Bhuvneshwar Kumar is back in India’s T20I squad after nearly four years, with the experienced fast bowler added for the fifth T20I against West Indies in Bengaluru on October 17.
The call up comes after Arshdeep Singh sustained a blow to his bowling shoulder during the fourth T20I in Hyderabad.
Arshdeep remains in the squad, and a decision on his availability for the final match will be taken before the game based on his recovery.
India have brought in Bhuvneshwar as an experienced pace bowling option for the series decider.
The 36 year old last played for India in November 2022, during the T20I against New Zealand in Napier. He was already named in India’s squad for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand, which begins on October 22.
His call up for the West Indies match has brought forward his opportunity to return to international cricket.
Bhuvneshwar‘s recent IPL performances have strengthened his case for an India return. Playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, he picked up 28 wickets in 16 matches during IPL 2026 at an economy rate of 7.95.
His experience with the new ball and ability to bowl at the death could give India another reliable option in the pace attack.
West Indies levelled the five match series 2-2 with a 24 run win in Hyderabad.
India will now face the WI in the deciding T20I at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Bhuvneshwar’s inclusion is confirmed, but whether he features in the playing XI will depend on the team’s final decision ahead of the match.
India’s updated T20I squad: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma (vice-captain), Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Naman Dhir and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
