New Delhi: Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes that seasoned fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar has likely played his final match for the national team. Bhuvneshwar had earned a recall to the T20I setup following two exceptional Indian Premier League seasons, but he failed to make an impact during the five-match series against New Zealand.
Compact boundary dimensions during the series may have prevented Bhuvneshwar from executing his preferred full lengths to generate swing. Consequently, he was forced to bowl shorter deliveries, which the New Zealand batting lineup capitalized on.
Analyzing the series on his YouTube channel, Ashwin highlighted the glaring discrepancy between the pacer's domestic success and his international output, questioning whether a path back to the national team exists for the veteran.
Bhuvneshwar had staked a strong claim for an international recall through his stellar campaign in IPL 2026. Representing Royal Challengers Bengaluru, he claimed 28 wickets across 16 matches to rank among the tournament's standout bowlers. However, he could not translate that momentum onto the international stage against New Zealand.
His opening appearance of the series proved particularly costly, yielding 49 runs in four overs without a wicket. Although he secured his sole wicket of the series in the second T20I by dismissing Daryl Mitchell, he still conceded 50 runs. After another wicketless performance and conceding 40 runs in the third match, he sat out the fourth fixture before returning for the finale, where he again finished wicketless after giving up 41 runs.
He concluded the series with a single dismissal and an economy rate of 11.50, marking a severe dip for a bowler who had dominated the IPL.
Ashwin emphasized that the issue extended beyond raw statistics and conceded runs, pointing instead to Bhuvneshwar's physical intensity, approach, and pace. He suggested that the bowler's preparation leading into the assignment fell short of international standards.
The former spinner added that age and experience work differently against a veteran making a comeback compared to a younger player. While emerging talents often receive an extended run to prove themselves, selectors maintain higher, immediate expectations for experienced campaigners.
Having last featured for India in November 2022 prior to this recent recall, Bhuvneshwar remains one of the country's most accomplished white-ball pacers, but his latest struggles have severely jeopardized his prospects of extending his international career.