India and West Indies will battle it out in the series-deciding fifth T20I at Bengaluru on Saturday. In major update Veteran fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar is set to make a surprise return to the Indian T20I team after nearly four years for the decisive fifth and final T20I against the West Indies.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has named the experienced pacer as the replacement for left-arm fast bowler Arshdeep Singh, who has been ruled out of the remainder of the series due to a shoulder injury.
The must-win series decider will be played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday, where Bhuvneshwar is expected to lead India’s pace attack with his vast experience.
Arshdeep Singh sustained a shoulder injury while bowling during the fourth T20I in Hyderabad on Wednesday. In its official statement, the BCCI said that a decision on Arshdeep’s availability for future matches will be taken after assessing his recovery.
Bhuvneshwar last represented India in a T20 International against New Zealand in November 2022. The 36-year-old has also been named in India’s squad for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand, which begins on October 22 in Christchurch.
His unexpected return is expected to provide a major boost to India’s bowling attack as the team looks to secure victory in the series-deciding fifth T20I.
