2 November 2026 (Navroze Bureau) Former India all-rounder and 2011 World Cup winner Irfan Pathan has questioned the BCCI selectors’ decision to bring veteran fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar back into India’s T20I team for the recent series against New Zealand. Pathan described the decision to play the experienced pacer as a mistake, arguing that the team missed an opportunity to give young fast bowlers valuable international experience.
Bhuvneshwar returned to the Indian T20I setup after nearly four years away from the national side. His comeback followed impressive performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he played an important role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s successful campaigns in the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
However, his return to international cricket did not produce the expected results in the five-match series against New Zealand.
Bhuvneshwar’s numbers in the New Zealand series
The 36-year-old pacer played four matches in the series and delivered 16 overs. He managed to take only one wicket while conceding 180 runs at an economy rate of 11.25.
His performance attracted attention, particularly because India had brought him back to add experience and control to the bowling attack. In the fifth T20I, Bhuvneshwar went wicketless again and conceded 41 runs in his four overs.
India lost the final match by seven wickets, although the team secured the five-match series 3-2. The result renewed discussion about the selection strategy and whether the opportunity could have been used to test younger bowling options.
What Irfan Pathan said about the selection
Speaking in a video on his YouTube channel, Pathan questioned the timing of Bhuvneshwar’s comeback. He said the selectors made a mistake by choosing the senior fast bowler for a T20I series when the next T20 World Cup was not immediately approaching.
Pathan clarified that his criticism was not directed at Bhuvneshwar’s ability as a bowler. Instead, he felt the team management should have considered the long-term development of India’s young fast bowlers.
According to Pathan, if the intention was to prepare Bhuvneshwar for the upcoming 50-over World Cup, his selection would have been easier to understand. However, using him in the T20I series meant that a younger player lost an opportunity to gain experience at international level.
He suggested that young pacers such as Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav could have benefited from playing more matches in New Zealand. Exposure to international conditions and challenging pitches can help young bowlers understand the demands of top-level cricket.
Pathan defends Bhuvneshwar’s bowling ability
Despite questioning the selection decision, Pathan made it clear that he does not doubt Bhuvneshwar’s skills.
He noted that the senior pacer had bowled well during the opening part of his spell in the fifth T20I but conceded runs later in the innings. Pathan also acknowledged that such situations can happen to any bowler.
His central argument was that the issue was the timing of the selection rather than the quality or experience of Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
The former all-rounder’s comments have brought attention to an important question for Indian cricket: how should selectors balance the experience of senior players with opportunities for emerging talent?
Why Bhuvneshwar was recalled to the Indian team
Bhuvneshwar’s return had initially been welcomed after his strong IPL performances. He claimed 45 wickets across the 2025 and 2026 IPL seasons, strengthening his case for another opportunity in national colours.
India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak had also highlighted the value of experience when discussing the pacer’s comeback. He suggested that the presence of experienced bowlers could help a relatively young bowling attack, particularly in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah.
Bhuvneshwar’s ability to swing the new ball and his experience in international cricket were among the factors that made his return relevant to the selection discussion.
What lies ahead for Bhuvneshwar Kumar?
India’s next T20I assignment is scheduled to be a three-match home series against Sri Lanka, beginning on December 22. Bhuvneshwar’s performance in New Zealand is likely to remain part of the discussion around India’s future bowling combinations.
The selectors will have to consider recent performances, experience, fitness and the development needs of younger players when making future selections.
For now, Pathan’s comments have highlighted the debate over whether India’s New Zealand tour should have been used more extensively to test emerging fast bowlers rather than bringing back an experienced campaigner for the shortest format.