India’s veteran fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar said he is not losing sleep after he was not picked in the team’s T20I team. Kumar scalped 28 wickets in 16 matches of IPL 2026 while playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru and played a key role in taking the franchise to glory.
The swing bowler ended the tournament as the second-highest wicket-taker. However, Kumar was ignored for the UK tour, where India played seven T20Is, two against Ireland and five against England, including a wash-out game.
Furthermore, Kumar was ignored for the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe as young fast bowlers like Prince Yadav, Ashok Sharma and Yash Thakur were given their chances.
“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.
The fast bowler from Uttar Pradesh gave credit to his family for supporting him and said he doesn’t have any regrets and bitterness in his life.
“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.
