Bhuvneshwar Kumar in IPL 2026 (Source: X and AFP)
The BCCI has announced Indiaβs 16-member T20I squad for the upcoming tours of England and Ireland. The squad was finalised after a meeting headed by Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar and BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia.
One of the biggest talking points from the squad announcement was the appointment of Shreyas Iyer as the new T20I captain, replacing Suryakumar Yadav.
Tilak Varma has been named vice-captain, while Vaibhav Sooryavanshi earned his maiden call-up after an exceptional IPL 2026 season.
However, several notable names were left out, including Hardik Pandya, who has been rested due to workload management, and Jasprit Bumrah, who has also been given a break.
Players such as Rinku Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Rajat Patidar, Krunal Pandya, Shubman Gill and veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar also failed to make the squad.
Among all the omissions, Bhuvneshwar Kumarβs exclusion has generated the most discussion among cricket fans, especially after his remarkable performances in IPL 2026.
Fans React To Bhuvneshwar Kumar's Exclusion
Soon after the squad was announced, social media was flooded with reactions from fans who felt that Bhuvneshwar deserved a place in the team.
Many supporters pointed out that the experienced pacer was one of the standout performers in IPL 2026 and should have been rewarded for his consistency. Some fans even questioned the selection of younger fast bowlers ahead of him.
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One fan wrote - βBhuvneshwar Kumar could have been selected in place of Harshit Rana considering he was one of the best bowlers in IPL 2026.β
Another supporter posted, "At least Bhuvneshwar Kumar should be in the team."
When Was The Last Time Bhuvneshwar Kumar Played In T20Is?
Bhuvneshwar last represented India in a T20I match on November 22, 2022.
His final T20I appearance came against New Zealand in Napier shortly after the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022. Since then, the experienced fast bowler has not featured in India's T20 setup.
Over the years, Bhuvneshwar has been one of India's most reliable bowlers in white-ball cricket. With the ability to swing the ball both ways and deliver under pressure, he played a crucial role for India at the international level.
Taking a look at the T20I stats, he has played 87 matches and bagged 90 wickets at an economy rate of 6.96 for India.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar In IPL 2026
Bhuvneshwar enjoyed one of the finest seasons of his IPL career in 2026 while playing for RCB.
The veteran pacer finished the tournament with 28 wickets in 16 matches at an economy rate of 7.95. He played a major role in helping RCB secure their second consecutive IPL title.
His performances with the new ball and at the death made him one of the most effective bowlers in the competition.
Bhuvi also achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Indian fast bowler to take more than 200 wickets in IPL history.
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