HighLights
  1. Bhuvneshwar returns to the national setup for the first time since November 2022.
  2. The left-arm pacer was struck on his bowling shoulder during the fourth T20I.
  3. India and West Indies are tied 2-2 ahead of the fifth T20I.

India vs West Indies 5th T20I: Indian pace spearhead Bhuvneshwar Kumar will mark his return to the team after four years during the fifth T20 international between India and West Indies on October 17. The BCCI has named Bhuvneshwar Kumar as Arshdeep Singh's replacement, who has been ruled out of the series decider with a shoulder injury.

The Men in Blue will face the Windies in a do-or-die clash tomorrow at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. With the inclusion, Bhuvneshwar's return to the team will be fast-tracked as he has already been named in the squad for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand, scheduled to start on October 22 in Christchurch.

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According to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Arshdeep suffered a blow to his bowling shoulder during Wednesday's fourth T20I against the West Indies. The team management will assess his recovery before making a final decision on his availability for the series finale.

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"Bhuvneshwar Kumar was added to the squad after Arshdeep Singh sustained a blow to his bowling shoulder during the fourth T20I of the series against West Indies on Wednesday in Hyderabad. A decision on his (Arshdeep) participation in the final T20I will be taken prior to the game based on his recovery," the BCCI said in a release.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar Returns After Four Years

Bhuvneshwar's inclusion marks his return to India's T20I setup after nearly four years. His last international appearance for India came against New Zealand in November 2022.

The 36-year-old was already selected for India's upcoming T20I series against New Zealand, which begins in Christchurch on October 22. His addition for the West Indies decider gives India another experienced option in the pace department at a crucial stage of the series.

Known for his ability to swing the new ball and execute variations at the death, Bhuvneshwar could offer India valuable experience if Arshdeep is ruled out. However, his selection as cover does not automatically confirm his place in the playing XI.

India And West Indies Set For Series Decider

India and the West Indies head into the final T20I level at 2-2 after the visitors won the fourth match in Hyderabad by 24 runs. Shai Hope's century helped West Indies level the series and put pressure on the hosts ahead of the Bengaluru encounter.

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With the series level, India's pace-bowling combination will be a key talking point. Arshdeep's fitness remains uncertain, while Bhuvneshwar's availability gives the team management an experienced alternative.

India's updated T20I squad: Shreyas Iyer (C), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Tilak Varma (VC), Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Naman Dhir, Bhuvneshwar Kumar. 


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