Bhuvneshwar Kumar has made a stunning comeback to the Indian T20I squad after almost four years, with the selectors including him for the upcoming five-match series against New Zealand. The experienced fast bowler last represented India in November 2022 against the same opponent.
However, his return to the T20I setup has raised an even bigger question. Is this just a comeback for Bhuvneshwar Kumar in T20 cricket, or have the selectors also opened the doors for his return to the ODI team ahead of the 2027 World Cup?
Former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes Bhuvneshwar has a genuine chance of playing the ODI World Cup 2027. In fact, Ashwin is so confident about the veteran pacer’s abilities that he has predicted Bhuvneshwar could even bowl the first ball of the tournament for India.
R Ashwin Predicts Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s Return for ODI World Cup 2027
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin suggested that the upcoming New Zealand T20I series could decide whether Bhuvneshwar gets another opportunity in the ODI format.
According to Ashwin, if the 36-year-old performs well, swings the new ball and proves his fitness, the selectors will find it difficult to ignore him for the 2027 World Cup.
Ashwin said:
“The selectors will be watching very closely.”
He went a step further and predicted that Bhuvneshwar could travel to the World Cup alongside Jasprit Bumrah and open the bowling for India.
Ashwin’s prediction is particularly interesting because Bhuvneshwar has not represented India in ODI cricket since January 2022, when he played against South Africa at Paarl.
His return to the T20I side after such a long gap has now given him another opportunity to revive his international career.
Why India Could Consider Bhuvneshwar Kumar for ODI World Cup 2027
India have been searching for reliable fast-bowling options to support Jasprit Bumrah ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.
During recent ODI series, the team management experimented with several young fast bowlers, including Gurnoor Brar, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav, Aquib Nabi and Anshul Kamboj. However, none of them has completely established himself as a dependable option for the World Cup.
Harshit Rana’s fitness concerns have also created uncertainty around India’s pace-bowling combination.
This is where Bhuvneshwar Kumar could become an interesting option.
India need a bowler who can take wickets with the new ball, maintain control during the middle overs and can also bowl handy overs with Bumrah in death overs as well as can contribute useful runs with the bat when required.
Bhuvneshwar has already demonstrated these qualities during his international career. Although he is not a specialist bowling all-rounder, he can contribute valuable lower-order runs.
His selection for the New Zealand T20I series could therefore be viewed as an opportunity for the selectors to assess his current form and fitness before considering him for the ODI team.
However, there has been no official confirmation that the selectors are planning his ODI comeback.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s IPL 2025 and 2026 Performances Strengthen His World Cup Chances
Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s recent IPL performances are another major reason why his return to India’s ODI setup cannot be ruled out.
Playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Bhuvneshwar picked up 17 wickets in IPL 2025. However, he took his performance to another level in IPL 2026, finishing with 28 wickets and emerging as the tournament’s second-highest wicket-taker.
More importantly, he improved his economy rate significantly while continuing to take wickets with the new ball.
His bowling figures over the last two IPL seasons are impressive.
| Bowling stats | IPL 2025 | IPL 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 14 | 16 |
| Wickets | 17 | 28 |
| Bowling average | 28.41 | 17.89 |
| Economy rate | 9.29 | 7.95 |
| Best bowling | 3/33 | 4/23 |
In these two seasons, Bhuvneshwar has taken 45 wickets. His IPL 2026 performance was particularly impressive because he not only picked up more wickets but also conceded fewer runs per over compared to the previous season.
For a bowler who is now 36 years old, these numbers show that he still has the skills to compete at the highest level.
Why Bhuvneshwar Kumar Could Be India’s X-Factor in ODI World Cup 2027
The 2027 ODI World Cup will be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, where conditions can offer assistance to fast bowlers, particularly with the new ball.
Bhuvneshwar’s biggest strength has always been his ability to swing the ball both ways. On a pitch offering movement, he can trouble even the best batters in the world.
His ability to take early wickets could also reduce the pressure on Jasprit Bumrah, allowing India to attack from both ends.
Bhuvneshwar has played 121 ODIs for India, taking 141 wickets. He also has the experience of representing the country in major ICC tournaments.
However, the upcoming New Zealand T20I series will be an important test of his fitness and current abilities. If he performs well, the selectors may have a strong reason to consider him for the ODI format as well.
Ravichandran Ashwin has already backed Bhuvneshwar Kumar to play the ODI World Cup 2027, and his prediction is not without reason. With 45 wickets in the last two IPL seasons and the ability to produce match-winning spells with the new ball, Bhuvneshwar could still become an important part of India’s World Cup plans.
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