“Give him some time”: Mohammad Kaif backs Bhuvneshwar Kumar after back-to-back expensive spells

Mohammad Kaif Urges Patience as Bhuvneshwar Kumar Adjusts to India Comeback

Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s return to the Indian national team has not yet delivered the impact many supporters hoped to see. After nearly four years away from international cricket, the experienced seamer has conceded heavily in his first two appearances of India’s five-match T20I series against New Zealand. But former India batter Mohammad Kaif believes it is too soon to draw conclusions—and has asked fans to give the 36-year-old time to rediscover his rhythm.

Speaking ahead of the third T20I, Kaif pointed to the challenges of stepping back into international cricket after a long absence. He also highlighted the conditions in New Zealand, where the opening matches have offered more assistance to batters than to bowlers who depend on swing. His message to supporters was clear: assess Kumar over the course of the series, not after two difficult outings.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s First Two Matches Back

Kumar returned figures of 0/49 in the first T20I and 1/50 in the second. Those numbers make for a difficult start, particularly for a bowler whose reputation has been built on control, movement through the air and the ability to trouble batters in the powerplay.

However, Kaif argued that the final figures do not tell the whole story. He said Kumar had bowled well in patches, while certain passages of play caused the score to climb quickly. In T20 cricket, a single expensive over—or a few deliveries that allow a batter to take control—can significantly affect a bowler’s overall economy rate.

Kaif also identified no-balls as an area Kumar needs to address. An illegal delivery not only gives the batting side an extra run and another ball, but can also disrupt a bowler’s rhythm and shift momentum. For a seamer trying to build pressure through accuracy and movement, limiting such errors could be an important part of his adjustment.

Kaif: International Cricket Is Different from the IPL

Kumar remained active during his time away from the national side, appearing in domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League. His experience in franchise cricket is valuable, but Kaif stressed that playing for a club and representing India are not identical challenges.

International matches bring different expectations, preparation and pressure. Opponents have detailed plans, and even experienced players may need time to adapt to the pace of the contest after an extended break. Kumar is also returning against a strong New Zealand side, leaving little room to ease back into the highest level of the game.

“He is coming back after four years. Give him some time. It has been only two games,” Kaif said in a video on his YouTube channel. He added that cricket has changed significantly during Kumar’s absence and cautioned against expecting an immediate breakthrough simply because of the bowler’s past success.

New Zealand Conditions May Not Suit Swing Bowlers

New Zealand has traditionally been associated with conditions that can help seamers, but Kaif said the surfaces in the first two matches appeared favourable for batting. That distinction matters for Kumar, whose greatest strength has often been moving the ball both ways rather than relying exclusively on pace or bounce.

When swing is limited and the pitch offers little assistance, bowlers must find other ways to contain runs. They may need to vary their pace, adjust their lengths, use the crease more effectively and target areas that make it difficult for batters to free their arms. Such changes can take time, especially for a bowler returning after several years away from international cricket.

Kaif noted that many observers expected the ball to move substantially in New Zealand, but the early conditions did not necessarily match those assumptions. A helpful reputation does not guarantee helpful conditions in every match, and modern T20 surfaces are often prepared to encourage high-scoring cricket.

Why Two Matches May Be Too Small a Sample

Kaif’s central point was that two games are not enough to make a fair prediction about Kumar’s prospects in the series. A pair of expensive spells can raise concerns, but they do not establish whether a bowler has lost his effectiveness—particularly when the sample is small and the conditions are demanding.

Looking beyond the headline figures can offer a more balanced picture. Analysts and fans can consider how Kumar bowled at different stages, whether he created chances, how often he hit his intended areas and whether his deliveries showed movement. They can also track whether he reduces no-balls and improves his control as the series progresses.

That does not mean the criticism should be ignored. Kumar will need to respond, and consistency remains essential in a fast-moving T20 contest. But a measured assessment should account for the circumstances of his comeback as well as the scoreboard.

Experience Could Still Be Valuable for India

Kumar’s return gives India access to a bowler with extensive international experience and a skill set that remains distinctive. His ability to swing the new ball can be particularly useful when conditions allow it, while his knowledge of different match situations may help the team manage pressure. The challenge is turning those strengths into effective spells in the conditions available.

His recent IPL success also demonstrates that he has continued to compete at a high level in franchise cricket. That achievement does not guarantee immediate international success, but it provides context for why India brought him back and why Kaif believes supporters should wait before passing judgment.

What to Watch in the Third T20I

The third match will offer Kumar an opportunity to make adjustments. Fans will be watching for tighter lines, fewer extras and greater control when batters attempt to accelerate. If the ball does not swing, his ability to adapt through pace changes and disciplined lengths could be just as important as his conventional movement.

For India, the broader question is how to balance patience with the need for immediate results in a five-match series. Kaif’s view is not that Kumar should be exempt from scrutiny, but that his performance should be judged over a meaningful stretch of cricket. As the series continues, his response may reveal more than the first two scorecards do.

For now, the former India batter is asking supporters to hold their prediction on Kumar’s comeback. The veteran seamer has had a difficult start, but there is still time for him to settle, adjust to New Zealand’s batting-friendly conditions and show why his swing bowling has remained a valued part of his game.