Bhuvneshwar Kumar has opened up about his India comeback, current fitness, his ability to play 50-over cricket, and his time under some of India’s biggest captains. He shared his thoughts on The Long Off Show, hosted by Jatin Sapru on his YouTube channel.

Bhuvneshwar spoke honestly about his career and how his mindset has changed. He no longer expects an India comeback, but he would still be happy if the selectors give him another chance. 

“If selected, I will be happy,” was the essence of Bhuvneshwar’s message. At the same time, he has stopped letting selection decisions affect his peace of mind.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar on his India comeback

Bhuvneshwar’s views on a possible return to the Indian team became one of the key parts of the interview. The pacer said he no longer expects an India comeback and now focuses on training, playing, and preparing without thinking about selection.

However, he still wants to wear the India jersey again. If the selectors pick him, he will be happy to get another opportunity. If they do not, he does not want to remain upset. With time, Bhuvneshwar has learned to focus on his cricket and the things he can control. 

His India jersey is still safely with him

Bhuvneshwar also spoke about his India jersey and its importance to him. He still keeps the jersey safely with him, but he does not spend time looking at it or thinking about the past.

The fast bowler called himself both emotional and non-emotional. He knows how special it was to represent India, but he wants to focus on his present life rather than constantly looking back at his international career. 

How his family helped him accept the India snub

Bhuvneshwar also explained how his family helped him handle the disappointment of missing out on India selection. His wife Nupur, mother, and sister kept things normal at home. They did not keep asking about his selection or when he would return.

This helped him move on. Bhuvneshwar continued his daily routine and focused on cricket, training, fitness, and family. With time, he accepted the situation and started looking ahead. 

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Bhuvneshwar thought Adelaide could be his last World Cup

Bhuvneshwar shared an emotional moment from his World Cup journey. After India’s match in Adelaide, he told his wife Nupur that it could be his last World Cup.

He felt teams and selectors might now focus on younger players and prepare for the next World Cup cycle. Because of this, Bhuvneshwar felt his World Cup journey could already be over. 

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Why the 2019 World Cup heartbreak hurt more

Bhuvneshwar also compared his feelings after the Adelaide match with India’s 2019 World Cup semi-final loss.

For him, the 2019 World Cup semi-final hurt more.

He felt India had a manageable target in that game and expected the team to win. Because of those expectations, the defeat became even harder to accept.

The Adelaide match felt different to him. T20 cricket can change very quickly, and “anything can happen.”

The different expectations around the two matches made the 2019 defeat more painful for Bhuvneshwar.

Trophies matter more than personal records

Bhuvneshwar also shared his thoughts about individual records and achievements.

He believes cricket remains a team sport. Personal records can become part of statistics, but the memories of winning games and lifting trophies stay much closer to players.

For him, the best memories come from sitting with teammates and talking about important victories.

That is why Bhuvneshwar considers the World Cup the biggest achievement in cricket.

He does not believe any individual record can match the feeling of winning an ODI World Cup or a T20 World Cup with the team.

Is Bhuvneshwar Kumar ready for 50-over cricket?

On the same show, hosted by Jatin Sapru, Bhuvneshwar also spoke about his fitness and his ability to play 50-over cricket. He believes his body can still handle a full 50-over tournament and said he is ready for a 100-over tournament.

He continues to work with his physio and trainer to stay fit. However, he does not train specifically because he expects to return to 50-over cricket. His main focus is staying fit and ready to play.

If he gets the chance to play a 50-over match, he believes he can manage it. His message was simple: “I am ready.” He is also “at peace” if age affects his selection. 

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Bhuvneshwar Kumar regrets not playing more red-ball cricket

Bhuvneshwar also reflected on his red-ball cricket career. He feels he could have played more Test and first-class matches. He said fitness was not the main reason. Instead, he did not have the maturity and knowledge about training that he has today.

His understanding of fitness, workload and career management improved with experience. Looking back, he believes better knowledge earlier could have helped him play more red-ball cricket. 

Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were ‘bowlers’ captains’

Bhuvneshwar also discussed three of India’s biggest captains: MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. While all three had different captaincy styles, he believes they shared one key quality. He called them “bowlers’ captains.”

Bhuvneshwar explained that such captains give bowlers the freedom to make decisions on the field. They trust bowlers to understand the conditions, the batter, and the match situation instead of controlling every small detail during their spells. 

Changing mindset of Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar’s interview showed how his approach to cricket has changed over time. He still wants to play and believes he can handle 50-over cricket. He would also be happy to make an India comeback. However, he no longer lets selection decisions affect his emotions.

His chat on The Long Off Show with Jatin Sapru showed that he is now more comfortable with uncertainty. He knows another India opportunity may come or may not. For now, he wants to stay fit, keep playing, and enjoy cricket while valuing everything he has achieved. 

What do you think? Will Bhuvneshwar Kumar be able to make a comeback in the Indian team? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. 

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