Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed concerns over Bhuvneshwar Kumar's performance in the third T20I against New Zealand, describing the veteran pacer's outing as a major disappointment. The 36-year-old has conceded 139 runs across three matches while picking up just one wicket since returning to the Indian side. Ashwin acknowledged that Bhuvneshwar bowled well in the first two games but struggled to maintain his usual rhythm in the latest encounter.

Speaking on SonyLiv after the match in Wellington, Ashwin said, “Bhuvneshwar Kumar in his third match is a miss for me.” He praised the pacer's earlier performances, particularly his ability to swing the ball during the Powerplay, but pointed out that his pace and movement were missing in the third T20I. “So, it's very understandable to have one bad over in the back half, but in this game, I thought his pace was down. The swing was missing,” Ashwin added, suggesting that Bhuvneshwar did not look at his best physically or technically.

Meanwhile, India's bowling coach Morne Morkel has backed Bhuvneshwar to overcome the pressure of his international comeback. Morkel acknowledged that returning to international cricket after four years comes with considerable expectations, especially when preparation time is limited. He urged the experienced pacer to focus on his strengths rather than worry about outside pressure. “One challenge is to block the expectation factor out,” Morkel said, adding that international cricket presents a different challenge despite strong performances in domestic and franchise cricket.

Bhuvneshwar's recent IPL performances offer reasons for optimism. He claimed 17 wickets in the 2025 season and 28 in 2026, playing an important role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru's back-to-back IPL title wins. Known for his ability to generate swing and seam movement, the veteran pacer will now look to rediscover his rhythm and provide greater consistency for India.