Kapil Dev backs Bhuvneshwar’s India T20I comeback, ‘If he is the best, why not?’

Greater Noida: Kapil Dev has backed the return of veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar to India’s T20 International squad for the upcoming tour of New Zealand, saying players who prove themselves deserve an opportunity regardless of their age or past record.

Bhuvneshwar, who last represented India in a T20I in 2022, was recalled to the national squad after a strong IPL 2026 campaign. The 36-year-old was named in India’s 16-member T20I squad announced by the BCCI on Tuesday, with Shreyas Iyer as captain and Tilak Varma as vice-captain.

“Good to see him return. If he is best among all why not, why you want to shut them out. It is a simple thing. The selectors must have thought about that,” Kapil said during an interaction with the media at the launch of the Kapil Dev Invitation golf tournament on Wednesday.

The 1983 World Cup-winning captain also praised Bhuvneshwar for refusing to give up and said his comeback could serve as an inspiration for athletes across sports.

“He must have done something extraordinary to come back after four years. That boy gives incentive to lots and lots of players not just in cricket but in all the sports -- don't give up, keep trying, you will bounce back,” Kapil said.

Bhuvneshwar’s numbers certainly provide a strong case for his recall. He enjoyed a remarkable turnaround in IPL 2026, taking 28 wickets in 16 matches at an average of 17.89 and an economy rate of 7.95. His 28 wickets were the best haul of his IPL career.

The figures represented a substantial improvement from IPL 2025, when he claimed 17 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 28.41 and an economy rate of 9.29. His ability to strike regularly while maintaining control made him one of the standout Indian seamers during the 2026 season.

Bhuvneshwar had also remained effective in domestic T20 cricket. In the 2024-25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he picked up 11 wickets in 29.1 overs at an impressive economy rate of 6.03, including best figures of 3/6. In the 2025-26 season, he claimed eight wickets in 22 overs at an economy rate of 7.00, with best figures of 3/23.

The recall comes as India prepare for their New Zealand assignment, with Bhuvneshwar bringing considerable experience to a squad that also includes Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav.

The BCCI also announced the India A squad for the New Zealand tour, with Dhruv Jurel named captain. The squad includes established names such as Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar, Akash Deep and Sai Sudharsan.

For Bhuvneshwar, however, the New Zealand tour represents an opportunity to complete one of Indian cricket’s more remarkable recent comebacks — four years after his last T20I appearance.

India’s T20I Squad: Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Tilak Varma (vice-captain), Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav

India A squad: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Ravichandran Smaran, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Dhruv Jurel (Captain and wicketkeeper), Washington Sundar, Auqib Nabi, Akash Deep, Anshul Kamboj, Manav Suthar, Mukesh Choudhary, Sai Sudharsan, Yash Rathod, Mukesh Kumar.

Tags : Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kapil Dev, Cricket, New Zealand, T20 International