NZ vs IND: Bhuvneshwar returns to Indian team after 4 years, Bumrah rested for T20Is

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has earned an India recall after nearly four years, with the veteran pacer named in the squad for the five-match T20I series against New Zealand. His return comes after two impressive IPL seasons, while Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for the T20I leg as India manage his workload ahead of the ODI and Test assignments.

In Short

• Bhuvneshwar Kumar returns to India squad after nearly four years
• Jasprit Bumrah rested for the five-match T20I series against New Zealand
• Shreyas Iyer will lead India, with Tilak Varma as his deputy

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has returned to the Indian T20I squad after nearly four years, with the veteran pacer named in the team for the upcoming five-match series against New Zealand. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the squad on Tuesday, with Jasprit Bumrah rested for the T20I leg of the tour.

Bhuvneshwar last played for India in the T20 World Cup semi-final against England at the Adelaide Oval in November 2022. The 36-year-old has earned his way back into the national setup after a strong run of form in the Indian Premier League over the last two seasons.

Bhuvneshwar has taken 45 wickets across the last two IPL editions for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, playing an important role in the franchise's title-winning campaigns. IPL 2026 was particularly fruitful for the pacer as he picked up 28 wickets at an economy rate of 7.95.

Incidentally, Bhuvneshwar's last India appearance also came in New Zealand in November 2022, shortly after the T20 World Cup campaign.

Earlier in August, Bhuvneshwar had said he was not thinking about an India comeback. "I'm playing the IPL and domestic cricket because I love the game," Bhuvneshwar said.

"When you're young and playing for India, you say you love the game. But honestly, things like 'control the controllable', 'don't overthink', or 'playing for the passion of the game' -- I can actually feel those things now."

"I've already played for India. That's not something I have to achieve now. If I get another opportunity, that's great, but I've been there. Everything I'm doing now is because of my love for the game. I know I have to stay disciplined."

The 16-man squad also sees the return of Varun Chakaravarthy. The 35-year-old mystery spinner has had an injury-riddled 2026. He was most recently in action in a T20I against Afghanistan in Delhi, where he suffered a side strain that subsequently ruled him out of the one-off T20I against Japan as well as the subsequent Asian Games. He returns to the squad at the expense of Ravi Bishnoi.

Bhuvneshwar was recently appointed captain of India's squad for the Hong Kong Sixes. However, his inclusion in the New Zealand T20I squad means he will miss the tournament.

The five-match T20I series against New Zealand begins on October 22, with Shreyas Iyer continuing as India's captain. Tilak Varma has been named his deputy.

There are no major changes to the squad, with the selectors largely retaining the group that has been part of India's recent T20I plans. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has also retained his place, and the youngster will be hoping to get an opportunity during the five-match series.

Bumrah's absence is part of India's workload management plans, with the team management keen to preserve the premier fast bowler for the longer assignments. He is expected to be available for the ODI and Test series against New Zealand.

Since Ajit Agarkar's tenure as chief selector officially ended, Pragyan Ojha led the selection meeting in the capacity of interim chief selector.

India are scheduled to face New Zealand in five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests. The squads for the ODI and Test legs of the tour are yet to be announced.

India's T20I Squad: Shreyas Iyer [C], Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson [WK], Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan [WK], Tilak Varma [VC], Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav

INDIA A SQUAD FOR NEW ZEALAND SERIES

The selection committee also confirmed the India A squad for the three-match multi-day series against New Zealand A.

KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel and Washington Sundar have all been named in the squad as the team management looks to give these players valuable match practice in conditions similar to those they will encounter during the two-Test series.

The India A fixtures will allow the players to acclimatise to the Kiwi conditions and get valuable time in the middle before the senior team's Test campaign begins.

Pant's inclusion in the A squad is subject to fitness after the wicketkeeper-batter suffered a bout of fever during the Irani Cup final against Jammu and Kashmir.

The India A squad also gives the selectors an opportunity to assess players who could be part of the Test plans, with the conditions in New Zealand expected to provide a useful test ahead of the two-match series.

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