‘Bhuvi will be a threat to our top order’: Lockie Ferguson

Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Pic/AFP

[popcorn number="28" desc="No. of wickets claimed by Bhuvneshwar Kumar in IPL 2026 - his best ever tally in a single IPL edition" class="Default"]

[popcorn number="45" desc="No. of wickets claimed by Bhuvneshwar Kumar across IPL 2025 and 2026 for RCB at an economy rate of 8.56" class="Default"]

[popcorn number="7.00" desc="Bhuvneshwar's economy rate in the 2025-26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy series; he conceded 154 runs in 22 overs and claimed eight wickets in seven matches" class="Default"]

While there may be an ongoing debate about whether or not Bhuvneshwar Kumar's return to the India fold for the upcoming series against New Zealand after a four-year gap is the right move, the fact that New Zealand speedster Lockie Ferguson is wary of the experienced pacer indicates India's national selectors have got it spot on.

Lockie Ferguson. Pic/AFP

Ferguson believes the veteran pacer, who is part of India's touring T20I squad, could pose a major threat to New Zealand's top order during the five-match series, beginning at Christchurch on October 22.

Asked if Bhuvneshwar's return would give India an advantage, Ferguson, 35, who has claimed 76 wickets in 54 T20Is, had no hesitation in replying in the affirmative. "Of course. He has played a lot of cricket and has had a fantastic IPL. It's not easy bowling at the Chinnaswamy [in Bengaluru] - I know that from experience. He has had an amazing IPL this year and the year before. Clearly, he's a world-class bowler who swings the new ball and is an outstanding death bowler," Ferguson said during a media interaction organised by Sony Sports Network on Friday.

Bhuvneshwar, 36, earned his India recall on the back of an impressive run in T20 cricket since 2025. He claimed eight wickets in seven matches for UP in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy last November and December before producing a stellar IPL campaign. Playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, he claimed 28 wickets in 16 matches to finish second on the season's highest wicket-takers list, behind Kagiso Rabada (29). Bhuvneshwar has taken 90 wickets in 87 T20Is.
Ferguson also touched upon how Bhuvneshwar's experience could benefit India's younger fast bowlers.

"If I were a young Indian fast bowler looking to learn from someone, he would definitely be at the top of the list. He's very calm under pressure, very open to talking about the game, and by all accounts, he's still learning and looking to improve. The fact that he's come back into the international side after four years is fantastic for his personal career. I'm sure he'll be a threat to our top order, but as I said, it's going to be a tight contest in New Zealand, and we're really looking forward to it," added Ferguson.

India's tour to New Zealand that stretches through to December kicks off with T20Is, followed by five ODIs and two Tests.