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Former India fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar has admitted that a return to the national team is no longer something he actively pursues. The 36-year-old, who last represented India in 2022, said his current focus is on enjoying the game while maintaining the discipline needed to continue playing domestic and franchise cricket.

Bhuvneshwar has represented India in 21 Tests, 121 ODIs and 87 T20Is during an international career spanning more than a decade. He was also part of Royal Challengers Bengaluru's maiden IPL title-winning campaign in 2026.

Speaking on the RCB Podcast, the experienced seamer explained that his outlook towards cricket has changed over the years. Bhuvneshwar said,

"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."

The pacer said his family's support has helped him accept life away from international cricket without frustration or disappointment. According to Bhuvneshwar, conversations at home rarely revolve around selection or missed opportunities. He added,

"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."

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Reflecting on Indian cricket's transformation, Bhuvneshwar credited the IPL for developing the country's fast-bowling depth. He also praised former captain Virat Kohli and former head coach Ravi Shastri for prioritising pace bowling, including preparing home pitches that suited seamers before overseas tours.

"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."

He further said,

"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."

Bhuvneshwar also acknowledged former India pacer Praveen Kumar's influence during his early years in Meerut, saying he learned by closely observing his senior and carried those bowling fundamentals throughout his career.