“Vintage Bhuvi”: Sehwag Champions Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s National Team Comeback
Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag has publicly urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selectors to recall fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar to the national T20 squad. Sehwag’s endorsement follows Kumar’s exceptional bowling performances for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) during the current Indian Premier League (IPL) season, where he leads the tournament’s wicket-taking charts.
Record-Breaking IPL Performances
During RCB’s match against the Gujarat Titans (GT) on April 30, Kumar delivered a highly effective spell, returning figures of 3/28 while defending a modest total of 156. He dismantled the GT top order, claiming the wickets of Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, and David Miller. This performance propelled him back to the top of the Purple Cap standings.
Kumar has accumulated 17 wickets in nine matches this season, maintaining an economy rate of 7.54. At a time when bowling averages are inflating across the Indian Premier League, his control with both the new and old ball stands out.
Key Milestones Reached
- Became the first fast bowler to cross the 200-wicket mark in IPL history.
- Became the first Indian fast bowler to secure 350 wickets in all T20 cricket.
- Recorded five three-wicket hauls in a single season.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s Recent Statistics
| Matches | Wickets | Economy Rate | 3-Wicket Hauls | Best Bowling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 17 | 7.54 | 5 | 3/28 |
Sehwag’s Case for an International Recall
Kumar last represented India in November 2022. Since his move to RCB ahead of the 2025 season, he has successfully rebuilt his bowling mechanics and statistical profile. Speaking on ESPNcricinfo, Sehwag praised the veteran bowler’s sustained sharpness against top-tier opposition.
“Bhuvneshwar Kumar seems to be the best bowler in this lot,” Sehwag stated. “He has made the match for RCB. Sometimes I think, what is his age? If he is 35-36 years old, so what? If he is producing big performances, he should think about his comeback in the T20 format or the selectors should think about it.”
Sehwag specifically highlighted the potential of reuniting Kumar with Jasprit Bumrah in the national side. “Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar used to have a combination, can they make that combination again? He bowls well with both new and old balls,” he added.
The veteran commentator concluded by labeling Kumar’s current form as vintage, emphasizing that consistent execution against strong batting lineups validates his readiness for a return to international cricket.