'If he is 35-36 years old, so what?': Sehwag calls for Bhuvneshwar’s return to India setup

Virender Sehwag has thrown down the gauntlet, and honestly, it's about time someone did. Age is just a number, right? Especially when you're talking about a bowler with the skill and experience of Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Sehwag's message is clear: if the man is performing, bring him back into the India setup, regardless of what his birth certificate says.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, or 'Bhuvi' as he's affectionately known, has been quietly plying his trade, showcasing his mastery of swing and seam. And Sehwag, never one to mince words, has noticed. He's basically saying, "Look, what does it matter if he's 35 or 36? If he's still getting batsmen out, he deserves a spot." It's a refreshing take in a world obsessed with youth. We've seen so many talented players sidelined because of their age, even when they clearly still have something to offer.

Now, let's be real, Bhuvi hasn't been a regular feature in the Indian team lately. The selectors have been looking at younger options, trying to build for the future. But here's the thing: experience counts, especially in high-pressure situations. And Bhuvneshwar Kumar has that in spades. Think about those crucial death overs in T20s, the ability to nail those yorkers, the composure under pressure. That's where Bhuvi excels.

The numbers tell a story, if you bother to look closely. While the younger bowlers have shown promise, their consistency can be a question mark. Bhuvneshwar, on the other hand, is a known quantity. He might not be the express pace demon of his younger days, but he's become a smarter bowler, relying on guile and control. He knows how to set up a batsman, how to exploit the conditions, and how to deliver under pressure.

What's fascinating is how this call from Sehwag highlights a broader debate in Indian cricket. Are we too quick to discard experienced players in favour of untested youngsters? There's a balance to be struck, of course. You need to blood new talent, but you also need those seasoned campaigners to guide them, to provide stability, and to win those crucial matches.

Think back to the 2011 World Cup. Remember the role that guys like Sachin Tendulkar, Zaheer Khan, and Yuvraj Singh played? They weren't spring chickens then, but their experience was invaluable. They knew how to handle the pressure, how to perform on the big stage, and how to mentor the younger players. Can Bhuvneshwar Kumar play a similar role in the upcoming tournaments? Maybe even the next IPL season in 2026? It's a question worth asking.

The challenge for Bhuvneshwar is to keep performing, to keep proving that he still has what it takes. He needs to make it impossible for the selectors to ignore him. And for the selectors, it's about having the courage to back experience, to recognize that age isn't always a barrier. It's about picking the best team, regardless of the numbers on a birth certificate.

So, what to watch for next? Keep an eye on Bhuvneshwar Kumar's performances in domestic cricket and the IPL. If he continues to swing the ball like he can, if he keeps picking up wickets, the calls for his return will only get louder. And maybe, just maybe, we'll see him back in the India blue, proving that class is permanent, and age is just a number.