Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif heaped praise on Bhuvneshwar Kumar for making a T20I comeback after four long years. Kumar was added to India’s T20I squad for the series against New Zealand on Tuesday after last playing for the country in 2022.
The UP seamer bagged 28 wickets in 16 matches of IPL 2026 and had played an instrumental role in taking Royal Challengers Bengaluru to glory. The swing master has performed consistently in the recent past and also scalped 14 wickets in 11 matches while leading Lucknow Falcons in UP T20 League 2026.
Kaif highlighted it is a herculean task to make a return to India’s national squad after four years and many former players have failed to do so.
“Bhuvneshwar’s comeback has proved that there is delay in god’s house, not darkness. Honesty, penance, dedication, hard work, having faith that I can do that work. After a long 4 years, according to me, this will be a record in India. After 4 years, there is no comeback in India. Even if you add my name, there are many other players, there is no comeback. This is not a tradition here. People move forward. But he forced them that they cannot move forward. In the last four years, he has 72 wickets in the IPL. He made RCB champions for two years. They had a dream to win that trophy and with Bhuvneshwar coming in, his important contribution made it possible,” Mohammad Kaif said in a video on his YouTube channel.
The former UP batter said Kumar’s comeback will help the team as he will bowl the tough overs for the side. The veteran pacer is known to swing the new ball in the Powerplay overs and he can also consistently hit the blockhole in the death overs.
“He bowls the tough overs. Two overs in the powerplay with the new ball, two overs in the death. He has the knuckle ball, wide yorker, slower bouncer, of course he knows to swing the ball both ways. This will inspire youngsters to never give up. Your comeback can happen at any stage if you work hard. He has set that example. He is the second highest wicket taker in the IPL. Keep doing your work. God is watching and you will definitely get the result of hard work. There are some difficulties in the Indian team in bowling at this time. There is a lack of good bowlers. His comeback will help the team a lot,” he said.
India’s tour of New Zealand starts on October 22 with the first T20I at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval.
