Watch: “Don’t want to play” — Bhuvneshwar Kumar reacts to India comeback talk after stellar IPL 2026 season

The veteran Indian star player, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, has broken his silence on his comeback for the national side, having gone through a stellar season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who went on to win successive trophies in the competition.  

Bhuvneshwar’s last T20I clash came on November 22, 2022, when he played a T20I against New Zealand. Meanwhile, his last ODI was against South Africa in Paarl on January 21, 2022. However, he still hopes to mark his comeback to the blue brigade.

Bhuvneshwar breaks silence on being overlooked despite his best-ever IPL season

Bhuvneshwar said that he would have nothing to prove at the moment. However, he didn’t deny that he had lost his interest in featuring for the Indian side and would always want to be prepared.

Watch Bhuvneshwar Kumar's view here- 

“Honestly, I don’t expect anything. As I said earlier, I’m not playing right now to prove anything. But it’s not that I don’t want to play for India. If I get a call, I’ll be there.” Bhuvneshwar expressed this in a video.

The veteran shed light on how he continued to have the same wish to be part of the Indian side. He reckoned that he won’t think twice if he gets the chance.

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“I have said this before, and I will say it again: at this stage of my career, I don’t have anything left to prove. Yes, if the selectors choose me, I will definitely play for India. I have a strong desire to represent India again and help India win the World Cup. But ultimately, that decision is entirely in their hands.” The Indian pacer revealed in the same discussion. 

“Right now, I just want to focus on my game and continue playing the way I have been. I don’t want to think about anything extra, and I am not thinking about it either. But yes, if I get the opportunity, I will definitely be ready to play for India.” He added.

28 wickets, an average of 17.89, and a career-best season for RCB's back-to-back title win

Bhuvneshwar has overall picked up 226 wickets in 206 innings of the Indian Premier League (IPL) at an average of 26.16 and a fine strike rate of 20.3, holding an economy rate of 7.71, thanks to the best bowling figures of 5/19 in an innings.

Bhuvneshwar’s best season of the IPL came in 2026 for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), when he bagged 28 wickets in 16 innings at an average of 17.89 and a strike rate of 13.5, along with an economy rate of just below eight, with the best bowling figures of 4/23 in an innings.

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In 2025, he collected 17 wickets in 14 innings at an average of 28.41, having an economy rate of 9.28. Bhuvi was exceptional in all three phases (powerplay, middle overs, and death overs) of the innings.