India bolstered their bowling arsenal for the final T20I by slotting veteran fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar into the squad after Arshdeep Singh suffered a shoulder blow in the fourth match in Hyderabad. The decision follows Singh’s injury, which could sideline him for the decider at M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Bhuvneshwar, 36, last donned the Indian cap at the 2022 T20 World Cup semi‑final. In 2026, he finished the IPL with an impressive 28 wickets from 16 games, boasting an economy of 7.95 and ranking second behind Kagiso Rabada. He was already slated for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand.
The shoulder injury came midway through the fourth match, forcing India to reassess their pace options. With the series level at 2‑2, the addition of a seasoned left‑arm pacer could tilt the balance in Bengaluru.
India now has another battle‑tested bowler who has proven himself in high‑pressure IPL contests. Bhuvneshwar’s experience will be pivotal as the hosts aim to seize the decider and seal the series.
The final T20I is set for October 17 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, where India will look to convert the squad upgrade into a series‑winning performance.