![Bhuvneshwar Kumar returned in action for India vs New Zealand [Source: X, Web]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1792663771839_BhuvneshwarKumar.jpg?type=hq)
Bhuvneshwar Kumar returned in action for India vs New Zealand [Source: X, Web]
Bhuvneshwar Kumar's extended wait to bowl for India again ended at Hagley Oval during the first T20I between India and New Zealand. Although the veteran pacer was picked in the playing XI in the fifth T20I against the West Indies, he did not bowl in the rain-curtailed game.
The 36-year-old's return, though, did not go as he would have expected. Playing his 89th T20I match for India, he bowled his first-ever no-ball in the format on the first ball of his second over. In the first over of his second spell, he bowled another no-ball, making it two in his T20I career.
As Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowled his first T20I no-ball, here's a look at the 5 things that have changed in Indian cricket since December 25, 2012.
1. Sachin Tendulkar retired
When Bhuvneshwar Kumar broke onto the scene, Sachin Tendulkar was still an active international cricketer. Almost an year after the bowler's debut, Tendulkar retired after completing his 200 Test matches. He played his last Test match in Mumbai against the West Indies.
2. India's historic BGT tours
At the time of Kumar's T20I debut, India had never won an away Test series against Australia, i.e., the Border Gavakskar Trophy. In 2018/19, the Indian team created history with a 2-1 series win, claiming wins in Adelaide and Melbourne, while pulling off a draw in Sydney. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was a part of the squad that won this series.
Furthermore, India repeated this in 2020/21, when they bounced back from 36 all-out in Adelaide. They won in Melbourne, got a dramatic draw in Sydney and most notably, defeated Australia at the Gabba, which was their first loss at the venue in 32 years.
3. India won 5 senior ICC titles
Just few months after Bhuvneshwar Kumar's debut, India won the ICC Champions Trophy 2013 in England. Notably, they went on an 11-year ICC trophy drought before finally ending it in the T20 World Cup 2024. In 2025, they clinched the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, followed by the first-ever Women's World Cup 2025 and the T20 World Cup 2026 on the home soil.
India also came close to winning the World Test Championship 2021, 2023 and the World Cup 2023 at home but faltered in the final.
4. India underwent a pace-bowling revolution
Back in the day, India was known for its spin bowling and batting dominance, while the fast bowlers usually played the side-character. India after 2015, specifically under Virat Kohli became a pace-dominant team, forming a famous quartet of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Mohammed Siraj also joined them later.
This fast bowling revolution played a major role in India's away BGT wins, and a famous win at the Wanderers in 2018, where Bhuvi was involved.
5. Virat Kohli surpassed Sachin Tendulkar's ODI century tally
Post December 2012, the world saw Virat Kohli become a force of nature in international cricket. In this period, Kohli scored over 23,000 international runs with 70 centuries, including 42 in ODIs.
When Bhuvneshwar Kumar got his T20I cap, Kohli had 12 ODI tons, as compared to Sachin Tendulkar's 49. Now, on October 22, Virat Kohli has 55 centuries, six more than Sachin, while he remains an active ODI player. Overall, he has 86 centuries and is chasing the illustrious 100 centuries record, held by Sachin again.
