Bhuvneshwar Kumar of India bowls during the 2nd T20I match between New Zealand and India at the Hagley Oval, Christchurch, New Zealand on October 24, 2026. (CREIMAS)

Ace pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar hasn’t exactly set the stage on fire on his return to international cricket after almost 4 years, with the veteran claiming just one wicket in the first two T20I matches vs New Zealand in the ongoing series. Bhuvneshwar’s other numbers haven’t been great either, with the speedster conceding 49 and 50 runs in the two matches respectively at an economy rate of 12.37.

However, India bowling coach Morne Morkel backed the bowler and asked him to “block out expectations” and focus on being himself. “I’ve got a lot of sympathy for his return. There will be expectations after four years to come back. He has done exceptionally well in the IPL and bowled really well,” Morkel said on the eve of the third T20I.

“One challenge is to block the expectation factor out.…