New Delhi, Sep 15: Veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has admitted that he believes he deserves another opportunity with the Indian team but said he has moved beyond the stage of waiting for a national recall.
Bhuvneshwar, who last represented India in November 2022, has once again entered discussions around a possible comeback after producing two impressive seasons for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
The 36-year-old claimed 17 wickets in IPL 2025 before an even stronger campaign in 2026, when he finished with 28 wickets at an average of 17.89. He ended the season just one wicket short of winning the Purple Cap for a record third time.
Speaking to Jatin Sapru on his YouTube channel, Bhuvneshwar was asked whether he felt he deserved another chance with India.
“Of course,” he replied.
However, the experienced pacer stressed that an India return was not the sole reason behind his continued involvement in competitive cricket.
“I’m not playing to prove anything, but I’d be happy to play for India again,” he said.
Bhuvneshwar said he had reached a stage where another omission would no longer affect him as it once did.
“I have gone past that time when I used to wait for the next series,” he said.
The pacer revealed that he had initially expected to get another opportunity after India’s 2022 New Zealand tour. He had received a call from the team management and interpreted it as a possible indication that he could be considered for the next couple of series.
“Because I had received a call. What they said, based on that I felt maybe next two series,” he recalled.
Those expectations eventually faded as he realised the selectors were looking towards the next cycle.
“But then I realised it’s not what they said,” Bhuvneshwar said.
He added that while accepting the decision was difficult, he eventually made peace with it, with his family playing an important role.
“It wasn’t hurtful, because then I knew what was happening, and I made peace with it. It wasn’t easy, but family played a big role,” he said.
Bhuvneshwar also revealed that he had sensed soon after India’s semifinal defeat to England in the 2022 T20 World Cup that it could be his final World Cup appearance for the country.
After returning to his room in Adelaide following the defeat, he called his wife Nupur and shared his thoughts.
“I told Nupur this was my last World Cup,” he said.
Bhuvneshwar explained that his assessment was based on his experience of how selectors generally approach the next cycle after a disappointing tournament.
“When you lose a tournament like this selectors want to look ahead, and that is fair,” he said.
His final India appearance came in Napier in November 2022, shortly after the T20 World Cup semifinal exit.
Despite being away from the national side for nearly four years, his recent IPL performances have reignited debate over whether the veteran could still contribute to India’s T20I set-up.
For now, Bhuvneshwar appears content to focus on his cricket rather than chase a selection call, while leaving the door open to another India opportunity if it comes his way.
