Bhuvneshwar Kumar needs time to settle in, says India bowling coach Morkel

India bowling coach Morne Morkel has urged Bhuvneshwar Kumar to block out expectations and focus on his game after an expensive return to T20Is against New Zealand. India trail the five-match series 0-2 ahead of the third match

Wellington: India bowling coach Morne Morkel wants Bhuvneshwar Kumar to “block out expectations” and focus on being himself as the seasoned pacer looks to regain his rhythm in international cricket after a four-year absence from the T20I side.

Bhuvneshwar has endured an underwhelming return to India’s T20I set-up, conceding 49 and 50 runs in the first two matches against New Zealand at an economy rate of 12.37 while taking just one wicket, the poorest return among India’s bowlers.

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“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. Two, leading into selection, he trained for a month, but playing international cricket is a different beast where the margins are small. He had to come in with limited training because of the schedule to get himself ready.”

Morkel, however, backed the veteran pacer to find his feet as he gets more game time.

“The skill and his experience, everything is there. But at the end of the day, we have to respect the game of cricket, and you have to allow him to find his feet in some of the games.

“And for me, that has been the message from the start when he joined the squad: don’t chase anything. Just be you.

“Yes, there will be expectations. But every game you’ll get better and every game you’ll find your rhythm. So let’s not think about any outside noise. Just be you and connect with that,” the South African added.

Bhuvneshwar, known for his ability to generate swing and seam movement, played a key role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s back-to-back IPL titles, taking 17 wickets in the 2025 season and 28 in 2026. India trail the five-match T20I series 0-2.