In a thrilling IPL 2026 clash that had fans on the edge of their seats, veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar delivered a performance for the ages, leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a dramatic two-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians. The display was so impressive that it has sparked a major call from none other than Ravichandran Ashwin for his return to India's T20I squad.
Bhuvneshwar was the star of the show in Raipur, first dismantling MI's top order with a devastating spell of 4/23. His mastery of seam bowling was on full display as he sent back Ryan Rickelton, Rohit Sharma, and Suryakumar Yadav in a fiery opening burst on a pitch offering movement and uneven bounce. But the veteran wasn't done yet—he smashed a crucial six in the final over to guide the defending champions home in a tense last-ball chase.
"Hashtag 'BringBackBhuvi', I'd love to see him being considered for the T20I side," Ashwin said on JioStar, unable to hide his admiration. "Tick with the new ball, able to complete the death overs nicely, and if you need a six under pressure, he's hammering that as well in the toughest part of the ground."
Ashwin was particularly impressed with how Bhuvneshwar adapted to the conditions, calling his bowling "proper Test-match bowling" after he realized there was something on the surface. "To dismiss Rohit Sharma with that peach, a slower ball that just swung, was quite incredible," Ashwin added. "He keeps testing you as an opening batter."
The former India spinner also highlighted Bhuvneshwar's selfless approach during the death overs, noting that he was "selfless enough to execute the yorker when he could have gone for a fourth wicket." It's this combination of skill and team-first mentality that makes Bhuvneshwar such a valuable asset.
The numbers back up the hype. Bhuvneshwar currently leads the Purple Cap race with 21 wickets in 11 matches, boasting an impressive economy rate of 7.46—the best among the top wicket-takers this season. His consistent wicket-taking prowess and ability to perform under pressure make a strong case for his return to the national setup, especially as India looks to bolster its T20I bowling attack for upcoming challenges.