After spending nearly 19 years in professional cricket, Bhuvneshwar Kumar says his passion for the game remains as strong as ever. The experienced fast bowler, who has represented India in all three formats, believes he now enjoys cricket more than ever because he has learned to focus only on the things he can control.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar first came into the spotlight when he dismissed Sachin Tendulkar for a duck in a domestic red-ball match, the only time the batting legend was dismissed without scoring in his domestic first-class career. Since then, he has enjoyed a successful journey with India, winning multiple trophies and becoming one of the country’s most reliable fast bowlers.
Speaking in a video shared by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Bhuvneshwar Kumar said that he continues to play the IPL and domestic cricket purely because of his love for the sport. He explained that while players often talk about playing with passion and controlling only what they can when they are young, he truly understands the meaning of those words now. At this stage of his career, he prefers to enjoy the game without worrying about things beyond his control.
Although Bhuvneshwar Kumar is no longer part of India’s plans and has slipped down the pecking order, his name recently returned to the headlines after Ravichandran Ashwin suggested that India should consider him for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
However, the veteran pacer made it clear that he is not thinking about an international comeback. He said he has already fulfilled his dream of playing for India and feels grateful for everything he has achieved. While he would happily accept another opportunity if it comes, he is no longer chasing selection and is instead focused on enjoying cricket while maintaining the discipline required to perform at a high level.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar also shared that he continues to play domestic cricket and features in the UP T20 League to stay match-ready. At the same time, he carefully manages his workload by taking enough breaks to recover and remain physically fresh.
The fast bowler revealed that one of the biggest reasons behind his peace of mind is the support of his family. He said cricket is rarely discussed at home and conversations never revolve around selection, missing out on the Indian team or other things related to cricket. According to him, that positive environment has helped him move forward without regrets.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar admitted that it is natural for any player to feel they still belong to the national team after being a key member for many years. At the same time, he understands that change is an inevitable part of professional sport. He believes every generation eventually makes way for the next and he accepts that reality with satisfaction. Rather than looking back, Bhuvneshwar Kumar says he is happy with where he is today and remains committed to playing the game he loves.
