Former India batter Robin Uthappa believes that Bhuvneshwar Kumar should be part of India’s plans for the ICC ODI World Cup 2027 in South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.
Uthappa feels the experienced seamer still has plenty to offer and could become an important weapon for India, especially in South African conditions. His comments came after injuries to several players, including Jasprit Bumrah himself, and Bhuvneshwar’s recent form supports his demand. Earlier, Jasprit Bumrah confirmed for Asian Games comeback.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has rebuilt himself.
Bhuvneshwar has focused on improving himself instead of chasing a comeback to India since losing his place after the 2022 T20 World Cup. His bowling has evolved as the seamer now uses the wobble-seam delivery more often, allowing the ball to move after pitching instead of depending only on big conventional swing.
The senior bowler has also added a sharper hard-length bouncer and improved his knuckleball, while putting much focus on accuracy and dot-ball pressure instead of simply trying to bowl faster. Bhuvneshwar has made major changes to his fitness after injuries affected his international career.
The 36-year-old has also adopted a calmer mindset. And all these changes worked wonders for him in the IPL, as he scalped 28 wickets in 16 games in the 2026 season at an economy rate of 7.95. In the 2025 season, he took 17 wickets in 14 games at an economy rate of under 10.
Robin Uthappa demands Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s selection in India’s 2027 ICC ODI World Cup squad
He was instrumental in RCB’s back-to-back IPL title triumphs. Robin Uthappa pointed out that Bhuvneshwar had a couple of average seasons between 2020 and 2022, after which many people started writing him off and even he was dropped from the Indian team.
However, the veteran pacer has worked hard to prove that he is still hungry and capable of performing at the highest level. Given his transformation, Uthappa has urged the national selector to bring the seamer back into the national fold and select him for the ICC ODI World Cup 2027.
Robin Uthappa said in a video posted on his Instagram handle: “Bhuvneshwar Kumar has to be a part of the 2027 World Cup team. Here are my reasons. One, he had two middling seasons between 2020 and 2022, and then he was written off. He has shown that he’s hungry. He has shown that he’s improved from those middling seasons. The proof of that is the fact that he’s led RCB to back-to-back victories in the IPL.”
Bhuvneshwar Kumar will be perfect partner for Jasprit Bumrah: Robin Uthappa
Uthappa feels Bhuvneshwar could play a key role alongside Jasprit Bumrah in the 2027 World Cup. His ability to swing the new ball and keep batters under pressure could allow Bumrah to attack from the other end.
He also feels the South African conditions could make Bhuvneshwar even more useful because of his experience and ability to move the ball. Amid this, Hardik Pandya, Nitish Kumar Reddy fully fit for Afghanistan T20Is, Washington Sundar on track.
The cricket pundit added, “Another reason is he will play a pivotal role in supporting Bumrah in adding pressure, especially with the new ball, because you need someone to maintain the pressure that someone like Bumrah adds, especially because they’re playing in South Africa.”
Uthappa makes emotional Bhuvneshwar Kumar plea
With the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup potentially being the final dance for the senior stars like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, Uthappa believes that Bhuvneshwar Kumar could bring extra hunger and experience to the dressing room and help the team to lift the trophy.
He signed off by saying, “And the emotional context to this is that it’s going to be perhaps even Bhuvi’s last World Cup, Rohit’s last World Cup, or Virat’s last World Cup, and I think that having him will make him add the extra bit of hunger the team needs to go out and win the championship.”
