“I haven’t thought about retirement yet”- Bhuvneshwar Kumar eyes India comeback amid heroics in UP T20 League 2025

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has 90 T20I wickets for India in 87 matches.

Veteran India pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has opened up about his plans for retirement and frustration with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selectors. Kumar has played 21 tests, 121 ODIs, and 87 T20Is since his debut for India in 2013.

One of the gifted swing bowlers, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, picked 63 test, 141 ODI, and 90 T20I wickets. Injuries and form hampered what should’ve been an exemplary career. Bhuvneshwar’s test career remained unfulfilled, as his last test came in 2018. His last ODI for India came in 2022, and his final T20I was played in 2022.

He filled in for Jasprit Bumrah during his bout with a back injury and also played in the ICC T20 World Cups 2021 and 2022. However, once Bumrah was back and Arshdeep Singh’s stocks rose, Bhuvneshwar Kumar was forgotten.

“As long as I am fit”- Bhuvneshwar Kumar says it is up to selectors to pick him for the Indian team

Selectors have continued to ignore the seasoned pacer despite his outstanding performances in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) inaugural Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 win. However, he is not yet prepared to retire.

“I am enjoying my bowling. I haven’t thought about retirement yet. As long as I am fit, I will keep playing; the rest is the job of the selectors,” Bhuvneshwar said to Dainik Jagran.

Regarding a possible return to the Indian cricket team, Bhuvneshwar Kumar was questioned. Only the selectors could respond to that, Kumar said. The 35-year-old pacer promised to keep giving it his all in domestic contests and underlined his focus on giving his best on the field.

“With Rajeev Shukla as president..”- Bhuvneshwar Kumar hopes for a fresh chance

Bhuvneshwar is currently participating in the Uttar Pradesh T20 League for 2025. In eight games this season, he has taken nine wickets at an economy rate of 6.76 runs per over and an average of 20.67.

“The selectors will answer this question. My job is to give my 100 percent on the field, and I am giving it. After the UP League, if I get a chance to play for the state’s senior teams in the Mushtaq Ali, Ranji, or one-day format, I will try to give my best there too. As a disciplined bowler, my focus is on my fitness and line length. No matter how well you perform, sometimes luck does not favor you.

“Your performance is paramount. If someone plays good cricket consistently, they cannot be ignored for long. Even if you’re not selected, focus on giving your 100 percent. The rest is up to the selectors. Yes, with Rajeev Shukla as president, it will be difficult to overlook talent,” the 35-year-old said.

On September 3, Bhuvneshwar will play again when the Lucknow Falcons face off against the Gaur Gorakhpur Lions in the Eliminator match.

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