Ashwin Makes Strong Plea to Agarkar Over Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s India T20I Return

Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has asked the Indian selectors to think about recalling Bhuvneshwar Kumar to the India T20I squad. Bhuvneshwar has impressed fans with his strong IPL 2026 performances and currently holds the Purple Cap.

Bhuvneshwar reclaimed the Purple Cap during RCB's last match. He earned the Player of the Match award against Mumbai Indians in Raipur after he achieved bowling figures of 4/23 and he hit a six on his first ball during an exciting last-ball finish.

Speaking on JioHotstar after RCB defeated MI in Raipur on Sunday, Ashwin said the selectors should seriously look at bringing Bhuvneshwar Kumar back into the T20I team. Bhuvi has not represented India since 2022.

Ashwin commented: "Hashtag 'BringBackBhuvi', I'd love to see him being considered for the T20I side," Ashwin said. "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. That was proper Test match bowling after he realised there was something on the surface. He keeps testing you as an opening batter." 

Bhuvneshwar took three wickets during his powerplay period by dismissing Ryan Rickelton and Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav. He came back to the match later to take out Tilak Varma.

Ashwin again added: "To dismiss Rohit Sharma with that peach, a slower ball that just swung, was quite incredible. And later on, he was selfless enough to execute the yorker when he could have gone for a fourth wicket. Extremely happy for him."

Bhuvneshwar stands as the main reason RCB currently occupies first place in points table standings. He has earned 21 wickets from 11 games and he has recaptured the Purple Cap.

The Purple Cap competition has experienced multiple transfers of ownership this season, just like the Orange Cap race. Bhuvneshwar has maintained his status as a dependable bowling option for opening overs.

His bowling average stands at a brilliant 15.28. His economy rate of 7.46 shows even greater value during this batting-dominated time period which exists in cricket.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar played for India until 2022 but completed an outstanding T20I career which lasted 10 years. He played 87 matches during which he took 90 wickets while maintaining an average of 23 and an economy rate just under 7. He achieved two five-wicket hauls during his career.

Royal Challengers Bangalore will play their next match at their current home ground which is Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium. The game against Kolkata Knight Riders will take place on May 13 when they face opponents who almost reached elimination status.