Bhuvneshwar Kumar to play first T20I for India since 2022?:Ashwin, Chopra urge selectors to pick RCB pacer; Andy Flower fined

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been simply unplayable in the IPL 2026 season. Throughout the season, 200+ run totals are being chased down on flat decks; it’s becoming a new norm in T20 cricket, but Bhuvneshwar has turned around the clock with his sensational swing and accuracy. Having last played a T20I for India in 2022, now experts like Ravichandran Ashwin, Aakash Chopra and Mohammad Kaif are asking the selectors to consider Kumar once again in the shortest format, especially with regulars like Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh struggling to make an impact in the IPL this year. Elsewhere, RCB coach Andy Flower has been fined 15% of his match fee for aggressive behaviour and use of abusive language towards the umpire during his team’s win over Mumbai Indians on Sunday. The incident occurred on Sunday, May 10, during the RCB vs MI match in Raipur. In the 18th over, Andy Flower was seen having a heated argument with the fourth umpire over a decision. The IPL Governing Body declared it a Level-1 offence, considering it indiscipline. Bhuvneshwar Kumar to don the India cap again? Having played 87 T20Is for India with 90 wickets to his name, Kumar’s last appearance in the shortest format came in 2022 against New Zealand. The veteran pacer couldn’t pick any wicket on a rain-curtailed day with the match ending in a tie. India won the 3-match series 1-0 after the first match was abandoned, while the last fixture produced another no result. Infact the last tied game was the last time Bhuvi donned the famous India blue, having not played at the international level since. While others like Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh have shown signs of weariness during to the IPL, understandably so after the amount of cricket they have played since the T20 World Cup, experts are backing Bhuvneswar Kumar to be given another run in international cricket. Speaking on Star Sports, Ravichadran Ashwin, speaking after RCB’s thrilling win over MI, said, “Hashtag ‘BringBackBhuvi’ I’d love to see him being considered for the T20I side. Tick with the new ball, able to complete the death overs nicely, and if you need a six under pressure, he’s hammering that as well in the toughest part of the ground.” He added, “That was proper Test-match bowling after he realised there was something in the surface. He keeps testing you as an opening batter. To dismiss Rohit Sharma with that peach, a slower ball that just swung, was quite incredible. And later on, he was selfless enough to execute the yorker when he could have gone for a fourth wicket. Extremely happy for him.” Fellow former cricketers Mohammad Kaif and Aakash Chopra also heaped praise on Kumar, urging the selectors to give a chance to the old warhorse. The pacer from Meerut, UP, has proven his longevity, as he became the only pacer to feature in over 200 IPL games. Andy clashed with umpire, abusive words caught on mic According to the report, at an exciting juncture of the match, Andy Flower aggressively spoke to the fourth umpire near the dugout. Under Article 2.3 of the IPL Code of Conduct, the use of ‘audible obscenity’ during a match is prohibited. Andy Flower’s words were heard on the broadcasting mic, after which match referee Amit Sharma imposed a penalty on him. Andy Flower admitted his mistake and accepted the punishment. What does IPL’s Article 2.3 say? According to IPL rules, Article 2.3 applies to players or officials who use indecent or obscene language during a match. Since Andy Flower has admitted his mistake, a formal hearing in the matter was not required. Fining coaches and support staff in the IPL is considered rare, but the board appears serious this time regarding the respect for umpires. BCCI has taken a strict stance on discipline in IPL 2026. Before Andy Flower, several captains and players have lost a large portion of their match fees in fines.