Bhuvneshwar Kumar Recalled to India Squad for West Indies T20 Decider

India recalls fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar for the fifth T20I against West Indies after Arshdeep Singh sustains a shoulder injury in Hyderabad.

Editorial Desk

October 16, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — New Delhi, India — The Indian cricket board announced on Friday that veteran fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been drafted back into the squad for the fifth and deciding Twenty20 international against the West Indies.

His late inclusion comes as left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh continues to recover from a shoulder injury. Arshdeep sustained the blow to his bowling shoulder during the fourth T20I in Hyderabad, where he was struck by a bouncer while batting and forced to retire hurt.

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The Men’s Selection Committee finalized Bhuvneshwar’s return on the eve of the series-decider, which is scheduled to take place at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on October 17, 2026. The series is currently tied at 2-2 following the West Indies’ 24-run victory in the fourth match in Hyderabad.

Team management is widely expected to retain the same playing eleven from the third and fourth fixtures, with Bhuvneshwar slotting directly in to replace the sidelined Arshdeep. The veteran pacer’s return brings a wealth of experience back to the bowling attack for the high-stakes final showdown.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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