Veteran Indian fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar has stated that returning to the national team is no longer his primary goal.
He has embraced life outside the Indian squad and continues to play purely out of his passion for the game.
At 36, Bhuvneshwar last donned the Indian jersey in November 2022. Throughout his international career, he has played 21 Tests, 121 ODIs, and 87 T20Is. The right-arm pacer expressed that after fulfilling his dream of representing the country, he feels no pressure to prove himself anymore.
In a recent episode of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) podcast, Bhuvneshwar shared, “I play IPL and domestic cricket because I love the game. When you are young and playing for India, you say you love cricket. However, the truth is to focus on what you can control and not overthink. At this stage of my career, I realize that the game is played out of passion.”
The experienced bowler added, “I have already played for India. I have nothing more to achieve. If I get another opportunity, that would be great, but I have already had that experience. Everything I do now is because of my love for the game. I know I need to stay disciplined. I play domestic cricket and participate in the UP T20 League. I ensure that I play enough cricket to stay connected to the game while also taking breaks to recover and refresh.”
Discussing his life away from international cricket, Bhuvneshwar credited his family environment for helping him move forward without regret or bitterness. He said, “I am completely at peace, and I owe that to my family. We never talk about cricket at home. We don’t discuss whether I will return to the Indian team, why I wasn’t selected, or what went wrong. This has played a significant role, and I have no regrets. When you are a key member of a team, everyone says the team comes first. However, when you are not part of the team, it’s natural to feel that you should still be there.”
He further remarked, “I understand that change is part of the game. I recognize that generations keep changing. I am not the first player to experience this, and I certainly won’t be the last. It’s part of the sport. Family plays a big role in this. I am happy where I am.”