Bhuvneshwar Kumar Criticises Ajit Agarkar’s Selection Decisions: “Performance Alone Doesn’t Seem to Matter…”

Despite an impressive career spanning 121 ODIs, 21 Tests, and 87 T20Is, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been out of the Indian team for nearly three years.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar Opens Up on National Team Exclusion

Senior India pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has finally spoken about his continued absence from the national team, suggesting that despite giving his best on the field, selection remains beyond his control—a remark widely seen as a subtle critique of the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee.

Speaking to Dainik Jagran on the sidelines of the UP T20 League, where he captains the Lucknow Falcons, the 35-year-old reflected on his non-selection since India’s exit in the semi-finals of the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, his last international appearance.

“Aapko iska uttar chayanakarta denge (Only the selectors can answer that),” Bhuvneshwar said when asked if fans can expect to see him in India colours again. “My job is to give 100 percent on the field, and I’m doing that. If I get a chance to play for Uttar Pradesh in the Mushtaq Ali, Ranji, or One-Day formats after the UP league, I will give my best there too.”

Despite an impressive career—121 ODIs, 21 Tests, 87 T20Is, and 294 international wickets—Bhuvneshwar has been out of favour in the national setup for nearly three years. While fitness and form were briefly cited after 2022, he has remained a consistent presence in domestic cricket, maintaining disciplined training focused on fitness and accuracy.

“As a disciplined bowler, my focus remains on fitness and line-length. No matter how well you perform, sometimes luck doesn’t favour you,” he added, hinting at selection factors beyond pure performance.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar Stresses Merit Over Politics Amid Shukla’s BCCI Elevation

In response to whether Rajeev Shukla’s appointment as BCCI (interim) president would benefit players from Uttar Pradesh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar remained diplomatic but emphasised merit.

“Your performance is paramount. If someone plays good cricket consistently, they cannot be ignored for long. Even if you’re not selected, focus on giving your 100 percent. The rest is up to the selectors. Yes, with Rajeev Shukla as president, it will be difficult to overlook talent,“ he said.

Currently leading the Lucknow Falcons in the UP T20 League, Bhuvneshwar is one of the few Indian pacers with proven ability across all formats. Once India’s premier swing bowler, his steady decline from the national radar—especially during a period when India faces fast-bowling depth issues—has raised questions among fans and analysts. With the domestic season approaching and India’s high-profile tour of Australia later this year, his performances in the UP T20 League and other tournaments could keep him in contention, even if selectors remain cautious.

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