Ajit Agarkar receives orders from Virender Sehwag to give Bhuvneshwar Kumar a T20I recall

Former India skipper Virender Sehwag has put out a stern message for the selectors of the Indian Cricket Team.

He said that the selection panel should consider a comeback for RCB star Bhuvneshwar Kumar back into the Indian team, at least in the T20 format.

Although the pacer made his debut in 2012 and was a mainstay for years, he hasn't played for the country in any format since November 2022.

In IPL 2026, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has impressed everyone with his ability to swing the ball and bowl in all phases of the match. His newfound form has resulted in him holding the Purple Cap in IPL 2026 with 17 wickets in 9 matches.

"He has been the best bowler in the tournament" - Sehwag

Speaking on Cricbuzz, Sehwag said that Bhuvneshwar has been bowling as well as he had in previous years.

"Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been the best bowler in this tournament. In every match he has been taking 2-3 wickets, even against Gujarat Titans he took 3 wickets. He put RCB in a good position. Sometimes, I think what kind of number is age? Even if he is 35 or 36 years old right now, so what? If he is bowling so well, the selectors should think about his comeback at least in the T20 format," he said.

"The sharpness is back" - Sehwag on Bhuvneshwar Kumar

"Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar used to make a formidable duo earlier. The selectors should think whether they can be as potent again. He [Bhuvneshwar] bowls with the new ball, bowls with the old ball. I felt very good seeing the old Bhuvneshwar Kumar back. The sharpness within him is back."

"He is bowling to the top batters, it's not like he is bowling only against one or two teams. Against all the teams I felt really good seeing his bowling, the vintage Bhuvneshwar is back," he concluded.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar in IPL 2026 and T20I career

Alongside being the Purple Cap holder, Bhuvneshwar has also been the best bowler in terms of bowling average and economy this year.

During RCB's loss to GT on April 30, Bhuvneshwar also became the first Indian fast bowler to achieve a significant milestone.

Also Read: Bhuvneshwar Kumar becomes the first cricketer in the world to achieve this stunning milestone

He has not played T20Is for India since November 2022, but played 87 matches across a 10-year career. In T20Is, Bhuvneshwar has taken 90 wickets at an average of 23 and an economy of just under 7 runs per over.

Against Afghanistan in 2022, he returned bowling figures of 5 wickets for just 4 runs. In the process, becoming the first Indian bowler to take two five-wicket hauls in T20Is.

RCB's next match

In their next match, Royal Challengers Bangalore will face Lucknow Super Giants at the Bharat Ratna Sri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on May 7.

RCB have already beaten LSG once this season, and may use that inspiration, along with the week-long break, to return to winning ways.