Bhuvneshwar Kumar Recalled as Arshdeep Singh’s Bengaluru T20I Participation Hangs in Balance

Arshdeep Singh’s availability for the series-deciding fifth T20I against the West Indies in Bengaluru remains uncertain after he sustained a shoulder injury. The interim selection committee, chaired by Pragyan Ojha, has added Bhuvneshwar Kumar to India’s squad as fast-bowling cover. Last week, Bhuvneshwar earned a T20I recall for the upcoming tour of New Zealand, his first call-up for India since November 2022.

Arshdeep’s injury occurred when he was struck on the bicep by a Shamar Joseph delivery while batting toward the end of India’s chase in the fourth T20I in Hyderabad. That delivery proved to be the final ball of the match, and Arshdeep retired hurt. A BCCI release stated that a decision on his participation would likely be taken prior to the game, based on his recovery.

Meanwhile, Bhuvneshwar reported to the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru last week for a fitness assessment and has since increased his bowling workload in preparation for the New Zealand T20Is. He was last in competitive action during the UPT20 League in September.

After previously describing himself as detached from selection concerns this season, Bhuvneshwar has forced his way back into contention through strong IPL performances for Royal Challengers Bengaluru across consecutive title-winning campaigns. In IPL 2026, he took 28 wickets in 16 matches, finishing second on the wickets chart behind Purple Cap winner Kagiso Rabada.

Arshdeep is part of the T20I squad set to depart for New Zealand on Sunday. His injury comes at a time when selectors are also finalizing the makeup of the ODI squad following injuries to fellow fast bowlers, notably Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana. Some squad members may also be released early from the ODI series in New Zealand to prepare for the two-match Test series that follows.

Arshdeep has featured in all four T20Is against the West Indies, claiming five wickets. Aside from Bhuvneshwar and Arshdeep, Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav are the only other frontline fast-bowling options in the squad, with Nitish Kumar Reddy and Shivam Dube serving as seam-bowling all-rounders.

India’s squad for fifth T20I vs West Indies

Shreyas Iyer (capt), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Naman Dhir, Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

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