Bengaluru, October 16, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has added experienced pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar to India’s squad for the fifth and final T20 International against the West Indies in Bengaluru after Arshdeep Singh sustained a blow to his bowling shoulder during the fourth match of the series in Hyderabad.
The BCCI confirmed the development in a statement, saying Bhuvneshwar had been included in the squad for the series finale, scheduled to be played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on October 17, 2026.
Arshdeep has not been ruled out of the final T20I, but his participation will depend on his recovery. The BCCI said a decision on the left-arm pacer’s availability would be taken before the match.
Arshdeep suffered the injury while batting in the final over of India’s 248-run chase during the fourth T20I at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Wednesday. He was struck on his bowling arm by a bouncer from West Indies pacer Shamar Joseph. Despite being in pain, Arshdeep faced the next delivery before retiring hurt as the West Indies secured a 24-run victory to level the series.
Bhuvneshwar’s inclusion comes after he was earlier named in India’s squad for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand, which begins in Christchurch on October 22.
The 36-year-old last represented India in the T20 World Cup semi-final against England at the Adelaide Oval in November 2022. His consistent performances in the Indian Premier League over the past two seasons have helped him earn another opportunity in the national setup.
Bhuvneshwar claimed 45 wickets across the last two IPL editions while playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru and played a key role in the franchise’s title-winning campaigns. His experience and effectiveness with the new ball have strengthened his case for a return to India’s T20I squad.
India’s updated squad for the fifth T20I against the West Indies comprises Shreyas Iyer (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Tilak Varma (vice-captain), Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Naman Dhir and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
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