Bhuvneshwar Kumar is making headlines again—and for all the right reasons. The 36-year-old swing bowler, who last donned the Indian T20I jersey four years ago in a quiet outing against New Zealand in Napier, has stormed back into form with a stellar IPL 2026 campaign. Leading the Purple Cap race with 21 wickets in just 11 matches, he's boasting an impressive average of 15.28 and an economy rate of 7.46—numbers that scream consistency and class.

His recent masterclass against Mumbai Indians was a sight to behold. Bhuvneshwar delivered a match-winning spell of 4/23, dismissing heavyweights like Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton, and Suryakumar Yadav with surgical precision. To cap it off, he even chipped in with the bat, smashing a crucial six to steady his team during a tense phase. It's performances like these that have reignited the debate: should the veteran be recalled to the Indian T20I side?

Former cricketer Aakash Chopra certainly thinks so. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra didn't hold back. "Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been absolutely outstanding," he said. "A place should be made for him again in the Indian T20I team. He picked up four wickets. He has taken three or more wickets six times this season. Before this, in the 19-year history of the IPL, only one bowler—Harshal Patel in 2021—had taken three wickets six times. Bhuvi has already matched that, and he's doing it with an economy of less than eight."

Chopra also pointed to India's packed T20I calendar, arguing that consistent domestic form deserves a shot at the international stage. With his pinpoint yorkers, clever variations, and unmatched control, Bhuvneshwar's resurgence has forced selectors to revisit a conversation that once seemed long closed. At 36, this swing king is proving age is just a number—and that his best might still be ahead of him.