Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s return to the T20I squad ended in a 99‑run leak over the first two matches, with India trailing 0‑2 in the five‑game series.
The 36‑year‑old opened the bowling against New Zealand, conceding 49 runs in the first T20I, followed by a 50‑run spell in the second, while his economy rate surged to 12.37 and he managed only a single wicket across both games.
Morne Morkel, the India bowling coach, slid into the dressing room with a calm directive: “Block the expectation factor out. Just be you.” He urged the pacer to stay focused on his own rhythm instead of feeling the weight of a four‑year absence.
Despite the pricey outings, Morkel lauded Bhuvneshwar’s IPL pedigree, citing 17 wickets in 2025 and a 28‑wicket haul in 2026 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and reminded him that experience counts.
The current 0‑2 deficit puts India under pressure, but the third T20I offers a chance for a revival. If Bhuvneshwar can find his footing, the team may yet salvage the series.
The next fixture: the third T20I, where India must regroup and force a win to keep the series alive.