Veteran Indian fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar has reportedly been added to India’s squad for the fifth and final T20 International against the West Indies in Bengaluru, according to media reports.
The reported development comes after fast bowler Arshdeep Singh sustained a blow to his bowling shoulder during the fourth T20I in Hyderabad. Arshdeep’s availability for the series decider is understood to depend on his recovery and a fitness assessment.
Bhuvneshwar, 36, last played a T20I for India in November 2022. He was reportedly preparing for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru when the latest squad development emerged.
India and the West Indies are level at 2-2 in the five-match series after the visitors secured a 24-run victory in Hyderabad. The final match is scheduled to take place at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Bhuvneshwar’s experience and ability to swing the new ball could offer India another option in the bowling department, particularly in a series featuring high-scoring matches.
According to the supplied media report, the fast bowler also had an impressive IPL 2026 campaign for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, taking 28 wickets in 16 matches.
However, his reported inclusion in the squad does not confirm that he will feature in the playing XI. Arshdeep’s fitness and the team management’s final selection will determine India’s bowling combination for the decider.
