R Ashwin said he sees Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowling together for India in next year's World Cup. Bhuvneshwar returned to the T20I side for the New Zealand tour after strong IPL performances. Ashwin said, "I am very excited and happy for Bhuvneshwar Kumar because he is unassuming."
Former spinner R Ashwin made the bold claim that he can see Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowling in tandem for India during next year's World Cup. Bhuvneshwar made his way back into the Indian T20I side for the New Zealand tour.
Bhuvneshwar's India career had been on hold since the T20 World Cup semi-final against England in Adelaide in November 2022. Nearly four years later, the 36-year-old has forced his way back into the national reckoning with a string of impressive performances in the IPL.
The seamer's consistency for Royal Challengers Bengaluru over the past two seasons has played a major part in his comeback. Bhuvneshwar has claimed 45 wickets across the 2025 and 2026 IPL campaigns, contributing to RCB's title triumphs during that period.
His 2026 season stood out in particular. The veteran pacer finished with 28 wickets, while maintaining an economy rate of 7.95, underlining the impact he continues to have with the ball.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said that Bhuvneshwar could have been an all-format asset for India like Bumah had he worked harder and avoided injuries.
"I am very excited and happy for Bhuvneshwar Kumar because he is a very unassuming guy. And yes, I am once again putting my neck on the line to say this: if he had worked a little harder, if the timing had been right and if he had avoided those injuries, with the skill set he possesses, he could have been a king for India across all formats."
"Do you want swing? He has swing. If you want it to move one way, he can do that. If you want it to move both ways, he can do that too. And then he has decent pace."
"Yes, when he played a couple of games in Australia, he was also finding it a little difficult. But he had some fitness issues. With the bat, he could contribute really well. He has very, very good hands and is a good catcher."
"I feel he could have given Indian cricket even more across formats," said Ashwin.
The former spinner said that if Bhuvneshwar can show fitness and form in New Zealand, then he will make his way back to the ODI team right after his national team return.
"He is going to New Zealand now. I am telling you, if he does well, everyone will immediately say, just take him for the ODI team as well. The selectors will be watching very closely."
"If he swings the ball and shows decent fitness, nobody can stop Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar from sitting together on that flight to the World Cup and Bhuvneshwar bowling the first ball of the World Cup," said Ashwin.
Ashwin explained why he feels that Bhuvneshwar can make a return into the ODI fold. He pointed to how the bowlers struggled against the West Indies, conceding 405 and 352 in the last two games.
The former spinner feels that Bhuvneshwar can be like an insurance policy for the team, with his experience and skillset.
"Look at how they are getting hit in this series against the West Indies. They need experience in the bowling department. Be careful. If you go to South Africa and bowl half-heartedly, they will absolutely roast you."
"So, having got that idea, they have thought, 'Okay, let's put Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the T20 team as a kind of fixed deposit at 6 percent.'"
"Let's say this continues. Now imagine there is a setback in New Zealand. I am just saying hypothetically. If required, I feel they might even retain Bhuvneshwar after the T20 series. Then we will see what happens in the ODI series. It will be interesting," said Ashwin.
India will take on New Zealand in a five-match T20I series, which will begin on October 22.