R. Ashwin, a former Indian cricketer, has talked about Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s return to the Indian team and stated that the pacer never went looking for the fruit and just enjoyed doing the hard work, and has been rewarded for the same.

Kumar, who last played for India in 2022, was recalled to the Indian T20I squad for the upcoming five-game series in New Zealand. He has been rewarded for his 45 wickets in the last two IPL seasons, where he helped Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) win the trophy in 2025 and 2026.

India's renowned cricketer R Ashwin hailed the pacer when discussing his return to the national team. He went on to say that Bhuvneshwar would never have considered returning.

"I don't think Bhuvneshwar Kumar even thought about or planned for a comeback. His success mantra is that he has gone on his own journey. He stayed in the moment and was only focused on doing well for RCB, which is what he did. The reward he has got now with his return to the side is the fruit of his success. But he never went searching for the fruit. He just did his job, and now he has got the success," Ashwin said on Vimal Kumar's YouTube channel.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, India’s teenage sensation, was also commended by Ashwin for his batting prowess. In T20Is, India's first-choice openers are Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma, with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi forced to warm the bench.

"Sooryavanshi is a prodigy and an entertainer with God-given gifts. Cricket is also deep-rooted in him, so he understands the game very well. We know Vaibhav will have a great career. But until then, he should enjoy himself as Sanju and Abhishek open. Sanju has had to wait a long time to get chances consistently. He was hardly getting any opportunities. However, when it rains, it pours. So, what he didn't get for years, he got during one T20 World Cup,” Ashwin said.

Both Bhuvneshwar, 36, and Sooryavanshi, 15, will be in action for India in New Zealand T20Is from October 22 in Christchurch.