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'We feel that he will pick a wicket on the very first ball' - Mohammad Kaif calls for patience amid Bhuvneshwar Kumar's India comeback

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has re-entered the Indian T20I lineup after a four-year hiatus, making his return during the five-match series against New Zealand that commenced on October 22 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. In his initial two appearances, the 36-year-old seamer has conceded 99 runs from eight overs while claiming a single wicket, a performance that has prompted former India batter Mohammad Kaif to urge the public to allow the veteran time to readjust.

Kaif noted on his YouTube channel that the game has evolved significantly since Bhuvneshwar's last international stint, emphasizing that the conditions in New Zealand favor batting despite expectations of heavy swing. While acknowledging that Bhuvneshwar has bowled well in certain spells, Kaif pointed out that no-balls have disrupted his momentum, making it premature to judge his overall effectiveness based on just two matches.

The series is set to finish on November 1, offering a complete window to assess the pacer's readiness following a prolific IPL 2026 campaign in which he took 28 wickets for Royal Challengers Bangalore.

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'Maybe that nervousness is still there,' says Mohammad Kaif on Bhuvneshwar Kumar