Not Shami! 309-match RCB veteran discussed for Asia Cup 2025 comeback, Siraj vs Prasidh debate settled

The name of a 309-match T20 veteran, who plays for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has been discussed by Kris Srikkanth for India T20I comeback for the Asia Cup 2025.

Kris Srikkanth said that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) should seriously look at Bhuvneshwar Kumar as a pace-bowling option for the Asia Cup 2025 because of the quality that he brings to the table.

I don't know why people don't look at him at all - Kris Srikkanth

In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Cheeky Cheeky', Kris Srikkanth admitted that the performance of the right-arm pacer was not good in the T20 World Cup 2022, but highlighted his recent IPL heroics.

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He said that Bhuvneshwar Kumar is an outstanding bowler with the new ball, and he should be on the selectors' radar for the Asia Cup 2025.

"I might think about it [bringing Bhuvneshwar back] because he's been doing brilliantly. In all fairness, yes he did not bowl well in the 2022 T20 World Cup semifinal, but he did well before that. He hasn't played for India after that, but has been doing very well in the IPL," the 1983 World Cup winner said.

"I don't know why people don't look at him at all. Bhuvi is an outstanding new-ball bowler. I think Bhuvi should be looked at very seriously."

Bhuvneshwar Kumar stars in RCB's IPL 2025 victory

The 35-year-old pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been one of the best performers for Team India in the last one decade, and he made a massive impact with his deadly swing bowling across all formats.

However, with age, his effectiveness reduced, and even though he worked very hard and managed to make a few comebacks to the Indian white-ball setup, the selectors decided to move on from him in 2022.

He last played a T20I game for India in November 2022 against New Zealand at Napier, and his last ODI appearance came in January 2022 against South Africa at Paarl. Talking about his last Test outing, it came against South Africa at Johannesburg in January 2018.

Coming back to the T20 discussion, he has played 309 20-over cricket matches in his career and bagged 327 wickets. In IPL 2025, he shone with 17 wickets in 14 games and played a key role in RCB's triumph. Also, in T20Is, he has bagged 90 wickets in 87 games for India.

Asia Cup 2025: Mohammed Siraj vs Prasidh Krishna debate settled

Kris Srikkanth has also backed Mohammed Siraj to pip Prasidh Krishna for a spot in the Indian T20I team for the Asia Cup 2025 as the third pacer. He said:

"Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh are certainties. I believe Siraj will be given the nod ahead of Prasidh Krishna. He has those fighting qualities. Prasidh bowled very well in the IPL. He did a brilliant job, but Siraj should be in the reckoning as the extra medium pacer.

"Both Prasidh and Siraj bowled well for GT in all fairness. But, on current form, Siraj has that momentum as well as rhythm. I will continue with Siraj."

Also Read: Asia Cup 2025 India squad: Vaibhav Suryavanshi tipped to snatch Sanju Samson's spot