India’s veteran seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar said he is proud to make a comeback to the Indian team after a long gap of four years. Kumar admitted he wasn’t chasing his return and he was just trying to give his best in the matches he was playing.
The experienced pacer scalped 28 wickets in 16 matches of IPL 2026 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru and played a key role in taking the franchise to glory. Thus, he was handed a comeback by the selectors to add more experience to the bowling line-up.
The UP fast bowler returned with figures of 0-40 in the third T20I against New Zealand, which India won by six wickets on Tuesday.
Kumar said via Cricinfo, “To tell you the truth, I did not chase. Yes, it is a dream. I am not saying that I am not happy. I am very happy. To play for India, to represent India, it is a matter of pride. So, I am feeling very proud that I made a comeback. But the truth is that I did not chase it. For four years, whatever was coming in front of me – tournaments, challenges, whatever – about cricket, about fitness, whatever else, I kept doing it.
“I never thought that I would want to play cricket for [only an India] comeback. So I think that made things very easy. Luckily, the performance happened. I think all the credit goes to my [last] two years of IPL. Because of that, [an India comeback] is happening,” the 36-year-old added.
The veteran seamer has had a tough return, returning with figures of 0-49 in his quota of four overs in the opening game. The experienced campaigner then bagged 1-50 in his four overs in the second game against the Kiwis on Saturday.
The fourth T20I between India and New Zealand will be played at Eden Park, Auckland, on Friday.
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