• Home
  • Who Said What
  • Only Selectors Can Answer That Bhuvneshwar Kumar Breaks Silence On India Comeback

"Only Selectors Can Answer That..,": Bhuvneshwar Kumar Breaks Silence On India Comeback

Rajgeeta Yadav

Bhuvneshwar Kumar [Source: AFP]Bhuvneshwar Kumar [Source: AFP]

It has been nearly three years since Bhuvneshwar Kumar last played for India. The experienced pacer, known for his swing bowling, hasn’t featured in international cricket since November 2022 and admits he has no clear answer about when, or if, he will return.

RCB Pacer Opens Up On Team India Snub

Speaking to Dainik Jagran, the 35-year-old said that the question of his comeback is best directed to the selectors.

"Aapko iska uttar chayanakarta denge (Only the selectors can answer that). My job is to give 100 percent on the field, and I'm doing that. If I get a chance to play for Uttar Pradesh in the Mushtaq Ali, Ranji, or One-Day formats after the UP league, I will give my best there too."

Bhuvneshwar, who has played 21 Tests, 121 ODIs, and 87 T20Is with 294 wickets, has been out of India’s plans for almost three years. While fitness and form were briefly blamed after 2022, the pacer has continued to play domestic cricket and stay disciplined with his fitness and bowling.

"As a disciplined bowler, my focus remains on fitness and line-length. No matter how well you perform, sometimes luck doesn't favour you. Your performance is paramount. If someone plays good cricket consistently, they cannot be ignored for long," he said.

When asked if Rajeev Shukla becoming interim BCCI president would help Uttar Pradesh players like him, Bhuvneshwar stayed diplomatic:

"Even if you're not selected, focus on giving your 100 percent. The rest is up to the selectors. Yes, with Rajeev Shukla as president, it will be difficult to overlook talent."

Earlier this year, he played a crucial role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s first-ever IPL title, taking 17 wickets in 14 matches. Before that, he represented Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he picked 15 wickets in the 2023 season before being released ahead of the mega auction. 

Over his IPL career, he has played 190 matches, taking 198 wickets, making him one of the top wicket-takers in IPL history.

Currently, Bhuvneshwar is leading the Lucknow Falcons in the UP T20 League..