Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif lauded Bhuvneshwar Kumar for his exceptional spell in an IPL 2026 match for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) against Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday (April 18).
Despite RCB’s six-wicket defeat, Bhuvneshwar stole the show with figures of 3/26 in four overs, sparking discussions about a potential national team comeback.
The 36-year-old rattled DC's top order during the powerplay, reducing them to 18/3 by dismissing Pathum Nissanka, Karun Nair, and Sameer Rizvi.
Impressed with his performance, Kaif said Bhuvneshwar still has the skill to trouble the best batters in the world and is good enough to play for India. He also recalled their time together in the Ranji Trophy, and how Bhuvneshwar once dismissed the legendary Sachin Tendulkar for a duck.
“There are moments when one gets emotional. Watching Bhuvi bowl so beautifully today brought back memories of the days when he was just 17. I was the UP captain, and was impressed by his control and swing. But selectors said he was too young. I insisted. Bhuvi made his Ranji debut, got Sachin Paaji for duck in the final. He's 36 now, still troubles the best of batsmen with his swing. India comeback? Why not, Bhuvi still has it in him,” Kaif wrote on X.
While Bhuvneshwar’s last Test appearance was in January 2018, he hasn’t played ODIs and T20Is since 2022. The veteran seamer has represented India in 121 ODIs, 21 Tests, and 87 T20Is, claiming 294 wickets across formats.
Recently, Bhuvneshwar Kumar etched his name in history by becoming the first bowler to claim 200 wickets in the Indian Premier League, and only the second overall after leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal.
