Bhuvneshwar Kumar recall: Age no barrier if you're good enough, says Murali Kartik
Synopsis
Murali Kartik's endorsement of Bhuvneshwar Kumar's T20I recall cuts to the heart of a long-running Indian cricket debate: should age disqualify a performer still at the top of his game? With Bhuvneshwar having led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to back-to-back IPL titles, Kartik argues the real litmus test isn't the player's birth certificate — it's what happens in New Zealand starting 22 October.
Key Takeaways
Murali Kartik backed Bhuvneshwar Kumar 's T20I recall on 19 October 2026 , saying age should never bar a player who is performing.
Bhuvneshwar was recalled for India's five-match T20I series in New Zealand beginning 22 October 2026 , after playing key roles in RCB 's consecutive IPL title wins in 2025 and 2026 .
Kartik warned the comeback will be a 'stern test' — success could open doors for other senior players; failure could close them.
Varun Chakravarthy 's fitness was flagged as a key concern ahead of the New Zealand tour.
All-rounder Naman Dhir praised for his 24* off 6 balls and 5 wickets against West Indies; described as a 'three-dimensional cricketer.' Teenage opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi tipped for a bright future, but told to bide his time behind two established openers.
Former Indian left-arm spinner Murali Kartik on Monday, 19 October 2026, warmly welcomed Bhuvneshwar Kumar's recall to India's T20I squad, asserting that age should never be a criterion for selection as long as a player remains effective and not a liability on the field. Kartik made the remarks during a select virtual interaction facilitated by Sony Sports Network.
Bhuvneshwar's Road Back to the T20I Setup
Bhuvneshwar Kumar was first recalled for India's five-match T20I series in New Zealand, set to begin on 22 October 2026. He had earlier been drafted into the rained-out fifth T20I against West Indies in Bengaluru — initially as cover for Arshdeep Singh before stepping into the playing XI in place of Mayank Yadav. The veteran pacer had been in standout form at the club level, playing a key role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru clinching consecutive IPL titles in 2025 and 2026.
Kartik on Age, Selection, and the Bhuvneshwar Case
'100 percent. I am so happy that he has made his comeback. I have never been a huge believer (in age being a criterion for selection). If somebody is good, he should be picked. Somebody is 40, and he is good; as long as he can move and he is not a liability on the field, he should be picked. I have got no issues with that,' Kartik said.
He was effusive in his praise for the pacer's consistency: 'Someone like Bhuvneshwar Kumar, he has showcased it throughout his life. He has been a quiet and exceptional performer. He is not somebody who is beating his chest and saying, ‘Notice me’. Even this year too, in that cauldron called IPL, which is a tough gig for any bowler, he literally was simply the best or, in fact, one of the best in all conditions across all phases.'
The Pressure of a High-Profile Comeback
Kartik cautioned, however, that Bhuvneshwar's return would place him under intense scrutiny — and that its outcome could influence how selectors approach older players in the future. 'Anyone who is on this side of 30 and making a comeback, it is not going to be easy. The spotlight is always going to be on you. If you do well, people will say he has continued his form. If he doesn't do well, then people are going to say, we always knew he was on this side,' Kartik noted.
He added that success or failure for Bhuvneshwar could set a precedent: 'Imagine a 36- or 37-year-old does well. If there is a reason to bring another 36- or 37-year-old at some other stage, people might use this as an example... But if somebody doesn't do well, then there are always going to be doubts.' Despite the stakes, Kartik expressed confidence that Bhuvneshwar would treat the recall as 'a new lease of life.'
Varun Chakravarthy, Spinners, and the New Zealand Tour
On wrist spinner Varun Chakravarthy's return from a side strain — which had ruled him out after the first T20I against Afghanistan in New Delhi last month — Kartik stressed that fitness would be paramount. 'You just hope that Varun Chakaravarthy stays fit because he is also on the other side of 30 and he is not known for his exceptional fitness,' he said, while also drawing a parallel with Kuldeep Yadav on the standards applied to specialist bowlers.
Kartik expressed optimism about spinners making a major impact in New Zealand, even accounting for the country's typically compact grounds. 'In T20 cricket, we have seen that it is the spinners who have got the better economy. Spinners have a huge role,' he said.
Backing Naman Dhir and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
Kartik backed all-rounder Naman Dhir, who struck an unbeaten 24 off 6 balls in the abandoned fifth T20I against the West Indies in Bengaluru, describing him as a 'very handy three-dimensional cricketer' capable of finishing games. Dhir had also taken five wickets with his off-spin, further bolstering his case for a regular berth.
On teenage opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Kartik urged patience: 'Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is a precocious talent... He has a wonderful future ahead. It's just a question of biding your time sometimes,' he said, noting the presence of two established openers and a versatile number three currently ahead of the youngster in the pecking order.
With India's five-match T20I series in New Zealand kicking off on 22 October 2026, all eyes will be on whether Bhuvneshwar Kumar can translate his IPL brilliance onto the international stage once more.
Point of View
And Bhuvneshwar's consecutive title-winning stints with RCB made his recall hard to resist. But Kartik is right to flag the asymmetry — if this comeback misfires, it will be used as evidence against the next experienced returnee, regardless of merit. The more pointed issue is the inconsistency Kartik himself raises: Varun Chakravarthy is selected despite limited fielding and batting contributions, while others with similar profiles are judged by stricter all-round criteria. Indian selection policy needs a transparent, performance-first framework — not one shaped by which veteran's narrative happens to be trending.
NationPress
19 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Bhuvneshwar Kumar recalled to India's T20I squad?
Bhuvneshwar Kumar was recalled primarily on the strength of his performances in the IPL, where he played a key role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru winning consecutive titles in 2025 and 2026. He was first named in the squad for India's five-match T20I series in New Zealand starting 22 October 2026, and also featured in the rained-out fifth T20I against West Indies in Bengaluru.
What did Murali Kartik say about age and cricket selection?
Kartik said age should never be a barrier to selection as long as a player is performing and not a liability on the field, stating he would have no issue picking a 40-year-old if they were good enough. He made the remarks in a virtual interaction with reporters on 19 October 2026.
Is Bhuvneshwar Kumar's recall a litmus test for older players?
Kartik stopped short of calling it a litmus test, but acknowledged that the outcome of Bhuvneshwar's comeback could influence future selection decisions for players in their mid-to-late thirties. He said if it goes well, it could pave the way for other older players; if not, doubts about such selections would resurface.
What is the status of Varun Chakravarthy ahead of the New Zealand tour?
Varun Chakravarthy had been ruled out after the first T20I against Afghanistan in New Delhi last month due to a side strain. Kartik said fitness would be the critical factor for the wrist spinner, noting he is 'on the other side of 30' and not known for exceptional fitness.
Who is Naman Dhir and why is he being talked about?
Naman Dhir is an Indian all-rounder who hit an unbeaten 24 off 6 balls in the abandoned fifth T20I against West Indies in Bengaluru and picked up five wickets with his off-spin in the series. Kartik described him as a 'three-dimensional cricketer' capable of finishing games and winning matches for India.
