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The India National Cricket Team will be flying to New Zealand for a five-match T20I series, followed by 3-ODI series and then two Test matches. Ahead of the series, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had a selection meeting, and as per reports, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is set to make a comeback to the Men in Blue T20I squad.
The BCCI had a meeting on Tuesday at the ACA Stadium, Guwahati, where all the selectors and the interim head of the selection committee, Pragyan Ojha, alongside secretary Devajit Saikia, were present. There, they discussed the possible announcement of the T20I squad and the India A squad that is set to travel to the Island country later this month.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar set to make a comeback in T20I squad
As per reports from The Indian Express journalist Devendra Pandey, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is set to make a comeback in the T20I squad for the forthcoming series against New Zealand. This would be brilliant news for the Indian fans and the former cricketers who have been wanting to see the UP-based pacer play for the Men in Blue.
I am told Bhuvaneshwar Kumar will be flying to New Zealand with the Indian team
— Devendra Pandey (@pdevendra) October 6, 2026
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been performing well in the T20s and the IPL in recent times, and thus many former cricketers have demanded his comeback into the T20I side. However, during Ajit Agarkar’s tenure as the Men in Blue chief selector, he was not in contention for selection, but as soon as Agarkar’s tenure is over, he will be in contention to play for the national team once again.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to play in Hong Kong Sixes?
Bhuvi has been added to the India side for the Hong Kong Sixes tournament. He is leading the side in the tournament, which is scheduled to take place from October 30th to November 1. If he is selected for the T20I series against the Kiwis, he will not be able to play this competition, as the first game is on October 22nd October.
Apart from Bhuvneshwar Kumar, there is another Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) player-all-rounder, Krunal Pandya is also in the squad. If the UP pacer gets selected, it will be on him to perform well ahead of the ODI World Cup 2027 and also get more chances to play the shortest format of the game.
BCCI face selection dilemma ahead of New Zealand series
This is a crucial series for the Men in Blue side, as they have to maintain the squad well, given the short time frame between the three ODIs and the two Test matches. It will be very crucial for the management to get their best players on the tour. More or less, the T20I squad will be the same.
With the India A games running alongside the senior team's limited-overs schedule, the selectors' decisions will affect not just the composition of the four squads, but also how well India can prepare its Test regulars for the challenging New Zealand assignment.
The combination of the Test bowling attack will also be carefully considered. Jasprit Bumrah's workload is another key concern for the selections.
