BCCI calls up Bhuvneshwar Kumar for 5th T20I decider against West Indies in Bengaluru as Arshdeep Singh nurses shoulder blow

India have brought veteran seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar into their squad for the fifth and last T20I of the West Indies series, which takes place on Saturday, 17 October, at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made the announcement on Friday, 16 October. Left-arm quick Arshdeep Singh had taken a hit to his bowling shoulder during Wednesday’s fourth T20I in Hyderabad.

Speaking about Arshdeep, the BCCI said: “A decision on his participation for the final T20I will be taken prior to the game based on his recovery,” as per an ANI report published by The Tribune. Bhuvneshwar has been included as a precaution, the board said, according to Onmanorama.

Bengaluru game will settle the series

With each side having won twice, the five-match contest will be decided in Bengaluru. The ANI report said India took the first game by eight wickets in pursuit of 172. In Ranchi, West Indies drew level by chasing down 250, finishing on 252 for 4 in 18.3 overs. India’s bowlers protected a total of 223 in the third game for a 14-run victory. In Hyderabad, an unbeaten hundred from Shai Hope anchored West Indies to 247 for 3, and they went on to take the fourth match by 24 runs.

• Fixture: India vs West Indies, 5th T20I
• Ground: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
• When: Saturday, 17 October
• Series standing: 2-2
• Squad change: Bhuvneshwar Kumar called up; call on Arshdeep Singh’s fitness to be made before the game

Back after roughly four years

Bhuvneshwar’s most recent international appearance came against New Zealand in 2022, Onmanorama reported, so this marks his return to the Indian side after roughly four years. He has also been named lately for the coming T20I series against New Zealand as part of India’s squad, a recall the outlet attributed to his showings in domestic cricket and the IPL.

India’s revised squad

Onmanorama listed India’s revised squad for the fifth T20I as follows: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Tilak Varma (vice-captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Kuldeep Yadav.

The team management will assess Arshdeep’s shoulder before Saturday’s toss, and that will determine whether Bhuvneshwar takes the field.

Sources: The Tribune (ANI), Onmanorama