Bhuvneshwar Kumar made his India comeback in the fifth T20I v West Indies.
Bhuvneshwar was first called up for India's five-match Twenty20 International series in New Zealand, which began on October 22. However, he was later called up to play in Bengaluru's rainy fifth T20I against the West Indies. With a total of 45 wickets, Bhuvneshwar was instrumental in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's back-to-back IPL victories in 2025 and 2026.
"100 percent. I am so happy that he has made his comeback. I have never been a huge believer (in age being a criterion for selection). If somebody is good, he should be picked. Somebody is 40, and he is good; as long as he can move and he is not a liability on the field, he should be picked. I have got no issues with that. I have never had it. I have always maintained this belief in my life," Kartik said in a Sony Sports media interaction.
"Someone like Bhuvneshwar Kumar, he has showcased it throughout his life. He has been a quiet and exceptional performer. He is not somebody who is beating his chest and saying, 'Notice me.' He has never done that. Even this year too, in that cauldron called IPL, which is a tough gig for any bowler, he literally was simply the best, or, in fact, one of the best, in all conditions across all phases.
I suppose there is a huge case for him, and there was a national clamor, so to speak, that Bhuvneshwar should be picked primarily based on those performances. So, I am very happy that he is back and so should be for anyone else," he added.
But Kartik warned that Bhuvneshwar will be under close observation following the return, and the result would influence how selectors evaluate older players for upcoming assignments.
"I don't know if you want to use the word 'litmus.' But anyone who is on this side of 30 and making a comeback, it is not going to be easy. The spotlight is always going to be on you. If you do well, people will say he has continued his form. If he doesn't do well, then people are going to say, We always knew he was on this side.
All those things are part of it. From a Bhuvneshwar Kumar point of view, I don't think he is going to be looking at it that way. It is a new lease of life. Anybody who comes to play this game wants to play it for the right reason, and that is to play for the country at any stage at any age. So I am pretty sure that Bhuvneshwar Kumar is taking it that way.
But yes, the pressure is on him because if he doesn't do well, if it doesn't go well for him, then obviously, it is about how you are looked at. Say, imagine a 36- or 37-year-old does well. If there is a reason to bring another 36- or 37-year-old at some other stage, people might use this as an example and say, look, he did well, so he can also do well.
But if somebody doesn't do well, then there are always going to be doubts about bringing that guy as well. So I hope it goes well for Bhuvneshwar Kumar. But it is definitely going to be a stern test. I don't know whether it is a litmus test," he elaborated.
The first T20I series is scheduled for October 22–November 1. Christchurch will host the first two T20Is on October 22 and October 24; the third will be played in Wellington on October 27, the fourth in Auckland on October 30, and the fifth in Hamilton on November 1.
(IANS inputs)