3 reasons why India should pick Bhuvneshwar Kumar in Cricket World Cup 2027 squad

IPL 2026 performance has put Bhuvneshwar Kumar back in the spotlight

India’s preparations for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 have already started in some sort of their own way. With the tournament set to be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, discussions have started around which players fit best in the squad and can give India the best chance to lift another World Cup title.

Selectors will be closely watching the performances in international cricket, domestic tournaments, and IPL before finalising the squad. While young players will be eager to impress, experienced cricketers could also play an important role because of the challenging conditions in South Africa.

One name that has been circulating in the last few days is veteran fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who had a brilliant IPL 2026 season with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), where he picked up 28 wickets in 16 matches and finished just one wicket behind the purple cap winner.

Ravichandran Ashwin has openly supported Bhuvneshwar’s selection, while Dinesh Karthik has also included him in his predicted World Cup squad. Although Bhuvneshwar has not played an ODI since January 2022, his recent performances have shown that he still has plenty to offer.

Here are three reasons why India should seriously consider picking Bhuvneshwar Kumar for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

3 reasons why Bhuvneshwar Kumar should play Cricket World Cup 2027 squad

1. His Experience can be valuable in the 2027 ODI World Cup

World Cups are different compared to the bilateral series and domestic tournaments. Knockout matches bring pressure, and experienced players often make the biggest difference at these stages.

Bhuvneshwar has already played in two ODI World Cups (2015 and 2019) and has represented India in 121 ODIs, taking 141 wickets. He has also been part of India’s Champions Trophy-winning squad and has played in several ICC tournaments.

2. His Ability to swing the new ball

One of Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s biggest strengths has always been his ability to swing the new ball both ways, even at 36, he showed during IPL 2026 that he still has the control and accuracy to trouble the top batters.

South African pitches generally offer more pace, bounce and seam movement compared to Indian conditions. Early swing with the new ball can become a major weapon.

His IPL 2026 numbers also prove that he is still bowling at a high level. He finished the season with 28 wickets at an average of 17.89 and an economy rate of 7.95, playing a key role in RCB’s successful campaign.

3. The duo of Bhuvneshwar Kumar & Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah remains India’s biggest match-winner with the ball. However, bowlers like him perform even better when they have strong support from the other end.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar could be that ideal partner. He can focus on swinging the new ball and building pressure during the opening overs. This combination gives India two different bowling styles, making it difficult for opposition batters to settle.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar is a strong contender for the 2027 ODI World Cup, but India have also invested a lot in young fast bowlers over the last few years, so it’s going to be a tough decision. But his outstanding IPL 2026 season has shown that he still has the skill, fitness and discipline to perform at the highest level.

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