'This was my last World Cup': Bhuvneshwar reveals why India return hopes faded
Veteran Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has addressed speculation regarding his potential return to the national cricket team following strong performances in the IPL. He stated that while he would be happy to play for India again, he has moved past the stage of waiting for a call-up and is no longer driven by the need to prove himself.
Why it matters
It provides insight into the mindset of a veteran athlete navigating the transition between peak professional performance and the end of an international career.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has once again found himself at the centre of conversations around the Indian team after two impressive IPL seasons with Royal Challengers Bengaluru.The veteran pacer has not played for India since November 2022, but his performances in RCB's back-to-back IPL title-winning campaigns have revived calls for his return. Bhuvneshwar took 17 wickets in IPL 2025 before producing an even better campaign in 2026, claiming 28 wickets at an average of 17.89. He finished just one wicket short of winning the Purple Cap for a record third time.The 36-year-old has repeatedly played down expectations of an India recall.
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