Bhuvneshwar Kumar added to India squad for West Indies T20I decider
India has added veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar to its squad for the final T20I against the West Indies after a shoulder injury to Arshdeep Singh, as the series stands tied 2‑2.
Key points
- India’s squad now includes 36‑year‑old Bhuvneshwar Kumar as cover for injured Arshdeep Singh.
- The decisive match will be played on Saturday, October 17, at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
- India seeks to recover from a 24‑run loss in Hyderabad, while the West Indies aim to win the series on foreign soil.
- Weather forecasts warn of a chance of rain around the toss time, potentially affecting play.
- Kumar has 31 wickets in 24 T20 matches at the venue and recently performed well for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL.
India and the West Indies are tied 2-2 in their 2026 T20I series, with the fifth and final match scheduled for Saturday, October 17, at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The BCCI announced on Friday that 36-year-old veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been added to India's squad for the decisive encounter.
Kumar’s inclusion follows a shoulder injury sustained by Arshdeep Singh during the fourth T20I. Although Singh remains part of the squad, Kumar was called up as cover, indicating that Singh is likely to be rested. This marks a potential return to the Indian setup for Kumar, who last played an international match in 2022. He was also named in the T20I squad for the upcoming New Zealand tour later this month.
Team India enters the match keen to recover from their loss in Hyderabad, where the West Indies secured a 24-run victory in the fourth T20I. The hosts will rely on their batting lineup, including Sanju Samson, who scored 56 off 23 balls in the previous match, along with Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma. The bowling group, led by Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel, must perform with greater precision after facing challenges from Caribbean batsmen in recent overs.
The West Indies arrive with significant momentum, eager to secure a series triumph on foreign soil. Shai Hope leads the series run-scoring list with 412 runs at an average of 51.5. In the overall T20I history between the two nations, India holds a clear edge, having won 22 out of 34 meetings, while the West Indies have secured 12 wins.
Weather conditions in Bengaluru have emerged as a concern ahead of the match, with forecasts indicating a chance of rain around the scheduled toss time of 6:30 PM IST. Kumar has played 24 T20 matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in his career, picking up 31 wickets at an average of 22.93. His recent performances for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL, where the team won the trophy in the last two seasons, have raised his stock ahead of this high-stakes decider.
Your questions, answered
Why was Bhuvneshwar Kumar added to the India squad?
He was added as cover after Arshdeep Singh sustained a shoulder injury during the fourth T20I.
When and where is the final T20I match?
The match is scheduled for Saturday, October 17, at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
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