Bhuvneshwar Kumar's call-up to India's T20I squad for the New Zealand tour surprised many, but the decision has not been a surprise to him. The 36-year-old pacer has enjoyed a few months of brilliant tournaments, which have gotten his name back into the ambit of India selectors. His 28 wickets for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2026 were an important part of that. Now, four years after his last Indian game, Bhuvneshwar has another opportunity. He plays T20 cricket now, but the big question is whether he can do enough to stake a claim to the 2027 ODI World Cup.

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2027 World Cup: Bhuvneshwar Kumar gets another India chance

Bhuvneshwar last played for India internationally in a game against New Zealand in November 2022. His most recent ODI was an encounter with South Africa in January of the same year. That long absence makes his recall an even bigger deal than normal. His international career seemed to drift ever further from the heart of India's plans. Injuries, oversaturation, and threats from newer fast bowlers had a role to play. He also spent a much shorter period in the 50-over domestic set-up, with his recent appearances largely coming in T20 cricket and the IPL.

He began to turn things around during IPL 2026 when wearing the RCB shirt. Bhuvneshwar finished the season with 28 wickets in the bag from 16 games and was sitting second on the Purple Cap pile just behind Kagiso Rabada. It was again very impressive when you look at his economy rate of 7.95, though, highlighting how good his T20 season was.

The 2027 World Cup Question

India's selection of Bhuvneshwar seems to have some larger significance. The team has long been rumoured to have issues with the balance of their ODIs, and retaining an experienced bowler able to move the new ball is important. Bhuvneshwar has always stood out from the traditional quick. It has been with the ball in the air that he has excelled, in particular with the new ball. His skill in extracting swing and utilising the wobble seam makes him a very challenging bowler when conditions are even slightly helpful. That skill has not disappeared. The bigger issue is whether he can handle the physical demands of ODI cricket again.

Bhuvneshwar hasn't played in the Vijay Hazare Trophy since 2023. A 50-over World Cup campaign calls for a lot more bowling than a T20 assignment, mainly for a leading seamer. India will need to evaluate more than his wicket-taking skills. His fitness, his workload and his recovery will be equally important.

2027 World Cup: Bhuvneshwar has not given up on another World Cup

The player himself has clearly said he would not mind another World Cup. On Jatin Sapru's YouTube channel, Bhuvneshwar said his body was ready and that he had been working with a physiotherapist and trainer at home. He also admitted that his approach to the game has changed. Earlier in his career, the focus was largely on proving himself and taking wickets. Experience has since changed that mindset.

Bhuvneshwar has also spoken on the importance of physical preparation, admittedly wishing that he'd hired a trainer and physiotherapist earlier in his career. That confession gives us an idea of how seriously he now takes the demands of first-class cricket.

2027 World Cup: A different bowler could return

The Bhuvneshwar who walks back to the Indian set-up may well be a different bowler from the one who left. He has said that he has gained speed through experience and the work he has done preparing. This might be something that is useful if India later on put him in consideration for 50-over cricket. His old strengths remain useful, but consistency in an ODI spell and an entire tournament will be the real examination.

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The New Zealand T20Is are just the beginning for now. There is no existing assurance that Bhuvneshwar will be in India's 2027 World Cup team. Still, his recall changes the conversation. Four years after India appeared to have moved on, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has earned another look. The question is no longer whether he is capable of bowling, but whether his body will be able to sustain yet another chapter of international cricket.

Editor - Mandeep Rawat

Mandeep Rawat is the Director & Editor at sportselite.in, bringing a genuine interest in Sports and the stories behind every contest. His approach to Elite Sports focuses on clear reporting, meaningful context, and the details that matter to fans. At sportselite.in, Mandeep works to keep coverage informative, engaging and easy to follow, covering the people, performances, rivalries and moments that give Sports their character.

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