Asia Cup 2025: 'I don't know why people don't look at him at all': Ex-Chief selector wants Ajit Agarkar to pick this ignored star for T20 Asia Cup 2025

India’s former chief selector Kris Srikkanth wants the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee to give veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar a chance to make T20I comeback. Srikkanth feels Bhuvneshwar should play T20 Asia Cup 2025 and be in consideration for a spot in the next year's T20 World Cup as well.

Bhuvneshwar hasn’t played T20Is for India since the defeat in T20 World Cup 2022 semifinal to England. He is one of the three players from the playing XI in the semifinal defeat to Jos Buttler’s side who have not played a T20I since.

"I might think about it [bringing Bhuvneshwar back] because he's been doing brilliantly. In all fairness, yes he did not bowl well in the 2022 T20 World Cup semifinal, but he did well before that. He hasn't played for India after that, but has been doing very well in the IPL.

"I don't know why people don't look at him at all. Bhuvi is an outstanding new ball bowler. I think Bhuvi should be looked at very seriously," the 65-year-old added.

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On his return for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), he played a crucial role in their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title win. He claimed 17 wickets from 14 games at an average of 28.41. His economy rate is 9.28 runs per over.

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Bhuvneshwar’s T20I record

The 35-year-old pacer has 90 wickets from 87 T20Is at an average of 23.10, including two five-wicket hauls and three four-fers. He claimed five wickets for just four runs against Afghanistan in T20 Asia Cup 2022 clash. His economy rate is exceptional at 6.96 runs per over, considering he bowls in powerplay overs and at the death. He is India's fourth-highest wicket-taker, just ahead of Jasprit Bumrah.

Bhuvneshwar’s T20 Asia Cup numbers

He is also the leading wicket-taker in T20 Asia Cups. From six games, he has 13 wickets at an average of 9.46, including a fifer. His economy rate in the subcontinent tournament is just 5.34 runs per over. Among current bowlers, Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan and India's Hardik Pandya are the closest to his record with 11 wickets each to their name.