In a night filled with nostalgia and high-quality fast bowling, Bhuvneshwar Kumar reminded everyone why he has long been regarded as one of India’s finest swing bowlers. Despite Royal Challengers Bengaluru suffering a six-wicket defeat to Delhi Capitals in their IPL 2026 clash at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bhuvneshwar’s sensational spell became the biggest talking point of the match.
The veteran pacer returned figures of 4-0-26-3, showcasing remarkable control, movement, and game awareness. His performance didn’t just trouble the opposition—it reignited discussions about a possible comeback to Team India, with former India cricketer leading the chorus of praise.
Ex-cricketer recalls early days and backs Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s return for Team India
Taking to social media after the match, former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif expressed admiration for Bhuvneshwar’s ability to deliver at the highest level even at 36. Drawing from personal memories, Kaif revisited the pacer’s early days in domestic cricket, recalling how he backed a young Bhuvneshwar during his Uttar Pradesh days.
Kaif shared how selectors were initially hesitant to pick the youngster, citing his age, but he pushed for his inclusion. That faith was repaid in dramatic fashion when Bhuvneshwar dismissed the legendary Sachin Tendulkar for a duck in a Ranji Trophy final—an early glimpse of the bowler’s immense potential.
Reflecting on the present, Kaif emphasized that Bhuvneshwar still possesses the skillset required to trouble top-level batters. He suggested that age should not be a barrier if performances continue to meet international standards, boldly backing the pacer for a return to the national side.
“There are moments when one gets emotional. Watching Bhuvi bowl so beautifully today brought back memories of the days when he was just 17. I was the UP captain, and was impressed by his control and swing. But selectors said he was too young. I insisted. Bhuvi made his Ranji debut, got Sachin Paaji for duck in the final. He’s 36 now, still troubles the best of batsmen with his swing. India comeback? Why not, Bhuvi still has it in him,” wrote Kaif on X.
There are moments when one gets emotional. Watching Bhuvi bowl so beautifully today brought back memories of the days when he was just 17. I was the UP captain, and was impressed by his control and swing. But selectors said he was too young. I insisted. Bhuvi made his Ranji…
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) April 18, 2026
Swing masterclass puts DC under pressure
Bhuvneshwar’s spell against Delhi Capitals was a textbook display of swing bowling. From the very first over, he consistently shaped the ball both ways, making life difficult for the batters. His first breakthrough came when he trapped Pathum Nissanka plumb in front with a delivery that jagged back sharply. The dismissal highlighted his ability to extract movement even on batting-friendly surfaces.
He didn’t stop there. In his next spell, Bhuvneshwar dismantled the middle order with precision. Karun Nair fell attempting to counter subtle changes in length, while Sameer Rizvi edged behind shortly after. At that stage, Delhi Capitals found themselves under immense pressure, largely due to Bhuvneshwar’s relentless accuracy. Though, in the end, DC managed to beat RCB following David Miller‘s last over heroics.
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