Bhuvneshwar Kumar says returning to the Indian team is no longer something he is chasing. The 36-year-old pacer, who last plays for India in 2022, says he is now focused on enjoying cricket and maintaining a healthy balance in his life.He has represented India in 21 Tests, 121 ODIs and 87 T20Is, and was part of RCB’s IPL 2026-winning team.Bhuvneshwar says his family has helped him accept the transition away from international cricket without regret.“I’m playing the IPL and domestic cricket because I love the game. When you’re young and playing for India, you say you love the game. But honestly, things like ‘control the controllables’, ‘don’t overthink’, or ‘playing for the passion of the game’ – I can actually feel those things now.“I’ve already played for India. That’s not something I have to achieve now. If I get another opportunity, that’s great, but I’ve been there. Everything I’m doing now is because of my love for the game. I know I have to stay disciplined.“I play domestic cricket, I play the UP T20 League. I make sure I play enough cricket to stay in touch, while also giving myself enough breaks to recover and stay refreshed,” Bhuvneshwar said on the RCB Podcast episode on Sunday.“I am absolutely at peace, and I give credit to my family. At home, we never talk about cricket. We never talk about whether I’ll get back into the Indian team, why I wasn’t selected, or what went wrong.“That played a big role, and there is no regret. When you’re a core member of a team, everyone says: ‘Team comes first.’ But when you’re no longer in the team, naturally you feel: ‘Maybe I should still be there.’“I understand that transitions are a part of sport. I understand that generations change. I’m not the first player to experience this, and I certainly won’t be the last. That is part of the game. Family plays a big role. I am happy being where I am,” he added.
IPL, Kohli and Shastri’s impact
After taking 28 wickets in IPL 2026, Bhuvneshwar credits the league for helping Indian fast bowlers improve. He also highlights Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri’s role in creating better conditions for pacers.“The IPL deserves a lot of credit because it exposed so many talented fast bowlers to high-level cricket. You bring them to the setup, and they mature over time. Traditionally, Indian pitches favoured spin, while overseas conditions suited fast bowling. But during that period, a lot of credit goes to Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri. They had a clear vision.“I remember we had important overseas tours coming up. Before those tours, even our home Test matches were played on pitches that helped fast bowlers, simply to prepare us. That showed their vision: they were about building a pace attack. Small decisions like that matter a lot,” he noted.Reflecting on his early career in Meerut, Bhuvneshwar also remembers former India pacer Praveen Kumar as a major influence.“We come from the same academy. When I first joined, he was already playing state cricket. By the time I reached state level, he was playing for India.“Our bowling styles were naturally very similar. When I was younger, I was too shy to keep asking him questions. Instead, I simply observed him. Not just him – my coaches and senior players too. Looking back, I realise how lucky I was. The guidance I received during those years built the strong bowling fundamentals that I still rely on today,” he concluded.
