Bhuvneshwar Kumar ideal first-choice new-ball bowler in NZ, says Pujara
Synopsis
Cheteshwar Pujara has made a compelling case for Bhuvneshwar Kumar to open the bowling in India's five-match T20I series in New Zealand — and Abhishek Nayar went one step further, comparing Bhuvi's quietly consistent career to Pujara's own. With New Zealand's famous swing conditions on offer from Day 1 at Hagley Oval, the recalled pacer has the perfect stage to remind everyone why he was missed.
Key Takeaways
Cheteshwar Pujara backed Bhuvneshwar Kumar as India's first-choice new-ball bowler for the five-match T20I series in New Zealand .
The series begins at Hagley Oval, Christchurch on Thursday .
Bhuvneshwar returned to the Indian squad for the fifth T20I vs West Indies in Bengaluru , which was washed out.
Ex-assistant coach Abhishek Nayar cited two consistent IPL seasons with RCB — bowling in the toughest phases on flat pitches — as proof of Bhuvneshwar's readiness.
Nayar compared Bhuvneshwar's understated consistency to the kind of quiet, stats-backed reliability Pujara brought to India's Test batting.
Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara has backed Bhuvneshwar Kumar to be India's first-choice new-ball bowler in the upcoming five-match T20I series in New Zealand, arguing that conditions there are tailor-made for the recalled swing specialist to thrive. The series opens at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Thursday.
Why Pujara Backs Bhuvneshwar for New Zealand
Speaking on JioStar, Pujara was unequivocal about Bhuvneshwar's suitability for the conditions. 'In New Zealand, I agree that he should be the first choice with the new ball, based on the conditions, because of the skill he possesses of swinging the ball. If the ball won't swing in New Zealand, where else will it swing?' he said.
Pujara added that the surfaces in New Zealand would amplify Bhuvneshwar's natural strengths. 'The conditions there are ideal for him. If there is a little help from the pitch, he can extract that movement from the pitch very well with the new ball,' he explained.
Bhuvneshwar's Return to the Indian Set-Up
Bhuvneshwar had recently rejoined the Indian squad for the fifth and final T20I against the West Indies in Bengaluru, though that match was washed out due to rain, leaving him without a competitive outing ahead of the New Zealand tour. Expectations will therefore be high when he makes his first appearance in the series opener.
Nayar Cites Two Consistent IPL Seasons as Proof of Readiness
Former India cricketer and ex-assistant coach Abhishek Nayar offered a detailed case for why Bhuvneshwar had earned his recall. He pointed to two back-to-back consistent IPL campaigns with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), where the pacer operated in the most demanding phases despite flat, seamer-unfriendly surfaces.
'In the IPL, there aren't seaming conditions, there are flat pitches. Yet, for two years, he has been bowling two overs at the top and two at the back end, the toughest phases of the game. To do that, you need experience, you need a bowler who understands the conditions and can extract the best out of those conditions, and there has never been a question about Bhuvneshwar Kumar,' Nayar said.
Nayar Draws a Pujara Parallel — The 'You Don't Notice Until You Notice' Bowler
Nayar went further, drawing a pointed comparison between Bhuvneshwar's understated consistency and Pujara's own long career as India's Test anchor. 'I am so, so happy that Bhuvi has got a chance because, for so many years, he has been the kind of bowler that Cheteshwar Pujara was as a batter. You don't notice them until you notice them. When you go and open their stats, you see performance and consistency, whether they are playing domestic cricket, the DY Patil tournament, or the IPL. So, I'm very happy that he's in the team,' he said.
The analogy is instructive: both players have often been taken for granted in selection discussions, only for their absence to underline just how much they contributed. With New Zealand offering conditions that could play to his strengths, Bhuvneshwar's recall may prove to be one of the more astute calls of this T20I cycle.
Point of View
Craft-first performers until a crisis forces a rethink. The real question isn't whether New Zealand suits Bhuvneshwar — it obviously does — but whether the team's T20I leadership trusts him enough to give him the extended new-ball spell his skill set demands, rather than using him purely as a holding option.
NationPress
21 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Cheteshwar Pujara think Bhuvneshwar Kumar should bowl first in New Zealand?
Pujara believes New Zealand's conditions — known for assisting swing and seam movement — are perfectly suited to Bhuvneshwar's skill set. He said that if the ball won't swing in New Zealand, it won't swing anywhere, making Bhuvneshwar the natural first choice with the new ball.
When does India's T20I series against New Zealand begin?
The five-match T20I series between India and New Zealand begins on Thursday at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is expected to feature after his return to the squad.
Why was Bhuvneshwar Kumar recalled to the Indian T20I squad?
Bhuvneshwar was recalled on the back of two consistent IPL seasons with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where he bowled in the toughest phases — powerplay and death — on flat, seamer-unfriendly pitches. His ability to perform under pressure without helpful conditions convinced selectors of his readiness.
What comparison did Abhishek Nayar draw with Bhuvneshwar Kumar?
Nayar compared Bhuvneshwar to Cheteshwar Pujara as a batter — a performer whose value is often underappreciated until you look closely at the stats. He said both players deliver consistent performances across formats and conditions, yet rarely receive the recognition they deserve in real time.
Did Bhuvneshwar Kumar play in the fifth T20I against the West Indies?
Bhuvneshwar was named in the squad for the fifth and final T20I against the West Indies in Bengaluru, but the match was washed out due to rain. He is therefore yet to bowl a competitive over since his return to the Indian set-up.
