Ravichandran Ashwin raises concerns over Bhuvneshwar Kumar after IND vs NZ 2nd T20I

Ashwin Questions Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s Pace After Costly T20I Outing

India may have secured victory in the second T20I against New Zealand, but Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s performance has prompted a closer look at the veteran seamer’s role in the bowling attack. The 36-year-old conceded 50 runs from four overs in Christchurch, taking one wicket, as India’s win did little to disguise his difficulties with control and impact.

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes Bhuvneshwar still possesses the skills to trouble batters, particularly with movement off the new ball. However, he has identified the bowler’s pace and execution as areas that need attention if he is to make the most of his international comeback.

Ashwin’s concern: skill needs to be backed by speed

Speaking on his YouTube programme Ash ki Baat, Ashwin said Bhuvneshwar had shown promise in the opening exchanges but was not consistently delivering in the right areas. He also suggested that the seamer needs to reach a higher speed range to make his swing more difficult for international batters to manage.

“Bhuvneshwar and Arshdeep started well. Bhuvi is missing some luck. He is not executing very well in certain pockets. I have backed him and wanted his comeback. But if he bowls at this pace, it is difficult for him,” Ashwin said.

Ashwin added that Bhuvneshwar’s ability to move the ball remains valuable, but argued that consistently bowling around 134 to 136 kilometres per hour could make him a more threatening proposition. The concern is not simply about raw speed: greater pace can reduce a batter’s time to adjust, while swing and accurate lengths can make that additional speed even more effective.

Promising IPL form has not yet translated into T20I impact

Bhuvneshwar earned his return to India’s T20I setup after two productive seasons with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He claimed 17 wickets in the 2025 IPL season and followed that with 28 in 2026, performances that strengthened the case for bringing his experience back into the national side.

His first two outings against New Zealand, however, have been less convincing. In the opening T20I, he conceded 49 runs without taking a wicket. In Christchurch, he picked up one scalp but was again expensive, finishing with figures of 1/50. Three wides and a no-ball also added to the pressure, highlighting how small lapses in control can quickly become costly in the shortest format.

There have been useful moments in both matches, and two difficult performances alone do not settle the question of whether Bhuvneshwar can contribute over a longer run. Yet the contrast between his recent IPL returns and his early international results has made the next match an important opportunity to reset the narrative.

Why control and variation matter in modern T20 cricket

In T20 cricket, a bowler’s value is measured by more than wickets. Economy, accuracy under pressure and the ability to disrupt a batter’s preferred scoring options all matter. Bhuvneshwar has traditionally relied on swing, changes of pace and precise lines, especially when the ball is new. But if batters can settle against deliveries that lack pace or miss their intended length, those strengths may be less effective.

That makes Ashwin’s comments relevant beyond one spell. Bhuvneshwar’s challenge is to combine his established movement with sharper execution, particularly when conditions are not offering much assistance. A well-directed slower ball or a change in length can still be useful, but those variations are generally more effective when they are difficult to anticipate and supported by consistent bowling.

India also have significant competition for places in their pace attack. Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah are among the team’s leading wicket-takers, while all-rounders and specialist spinners provide further options. Bhuvneshwar’s experience is an asset, but his place will depend on whether he can turn that experience into reliable performances in the matches ahead.

Bhuvneshwar’s place in India’s T20I record books

Despite his recent struggles, Bhuvneshwar remains one of India’s most accomplished T20I bowlers. He has taken 91 wickets in 90 men’s T20 internationals, with an average of 23.93 and an economy rate of 7.10. His record also includes two five-wicket hauls and three four-wicket performances.

He ranks seventh on India’s list of leading men’s T20I wicket-takers. Arshdeep Singh tops the list with 148 wickets, followed by Bumrah on 126. Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya have 114 wickets apiece, while Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal have claimed 98 and 96 respectively.

The numbers underline why Bhuvneshwar’s return has attracted attention: he is not an inexperienced prospect, but a bowler with a substantial international record and a proven ability to deliver in different phases of an innings. The question now is whether he can reproduce that effectiveness after a long absence from the national side.

Third T20I offers a chance to respond

India, led by Shreyas Iyer, are scheduled to face Mitchell Santner’s New Zealand in the third match of the five-game series at Hnry Stadium in Wellington on Tuesday, October 27. For Bhuvneshwar, the fixture presents a chance to improve his line and length, build pressure through the middle overs and demonstrate that his pace can complement his swing.

Any prediction about his longer-term place in the team would be premature after just two matches. Still, the upcoming contest could shape the conversation around his comeback. A more economical spell, coupled with early movement or a timely wicket, would strengthen his case for continued selection. Another expensive outing could intensify scrutiny as India assess their options for the remainder of the series.

Ashwin’s assessment ultimately points to a balance Bhuvneshwar has navigated throughout his career: movement and experience remain powerful weapons, but they must be supported by accuracy and enough pace to keep batters under pressure. His next performance will show whether he can make that combination work again at international level.