“Really happy for Bhuvneshwar”: Madan Lal welcomes pacer’s recall
Former cricketer Madan Lal praises Bhuvneshwar Kumar's recall to the Indian T20I squad, citing his lethal swing and stellar IPL form.
Former Indian cricketing legend Madan Lal has expressed his delight regarding the return of veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar to the national side. The seasoned bowler has earned a much-anticipated recall to the Indian T20I squad for the upcoming five-match series against New Zealand, scheduled to begin on October 22.
Bhuvneshwar's international T20 career had been on hiatus since the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final against England. However, a remarkable resurgence in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has paved the way for the 36-year-old to rejoin the setup.
The Swing Factor: Why the Recall Makes Sense
Speaking to ANI on the sidelines of the Salute Tiranga Cricket League (STCL) Players Draft, Madan Lal attributed the comeback to Kumar's ability to move the ball effectively, a skill that remains vital even in the shortest format of the game.
“I'm actually really happy for Bhuvneshwar because I like him. The reason he's come back is that he put in good IPL performances. And bowlers like that are always effective because they can generate movement with the ball,” Lal remarked.
Lal emphasized that while T20 cricket carries the risk of being hit, the natural movement provided by the bowler ensures he remains a wicket-taking threat. “Whenever you're playing cricket, if you have movement—whether it's outswing or inswing—you're definitely going to get wickets. Sure, it's T20 cricket, and sometimes he might get hit, but he's definitely going to get wickets because he has that movement,” he added.
Dominant IPL Form
The statistics backing Bhuvneshwar’s recall are formidable. He has been a cornerstone of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) success, contributing to back-to-back titles in 2025 and 2026. His recent IPL numbers include:
- IPL 2026: 28 wickets in 16 matches at an average of 17.89 and an economy of 7.95.
- Overall RCB Contribution: 45 wickets in 31 matches with an average of 22.55.
End of an Era for Harmanpreet Kaur
In addition to the pacer's return, Madan Lal also shared his thoughts on the significant leadership change in the Indian women's cricket team. Following her historic achievement of guiding India to a gold medal at the Asian Games 2026, Harmanpreet Kaur has stepped down as captain across all formats.
Smriti Mandhana is set to take the reins starting with the tour of Zimbabwe on October 16. Lal lauded Kaur's legacy and her timing in passing the torch.
“Congratulations to Harmanpreet Kaur because she has done really, really well. She has taken women's cricket to a whole new level. I like her decision. She made this decision at exactly the right time to pass the baton to Smriti Mandhana,” Lal said.
A Platform for the Youth
Reflecting on the Salute Tiranga Cricket League (STCL), Madan Lal highlighted the importance of such initiatives in nurturing domestic talent. He noted that while the league provides a stage for youngsters to catch the eyes of mentors and selectors, the journey to the highest level remains a long and demanding one.
“If they play well, our mentors and selectors will definitely take notice. If they're good enough, they might even recommend them for an academy or a state-level team. I wouldn't say they'll recommend them for big cricket right away. Their path is still really long right now, so the most important thing is to just focus on performing first,” he concluded.