Bhuvneshwar Kumar Returns for India's T20I Series Decider Against West Indies Amidst Arshdeep Singh's Injury Concern

India have included Bhuvneshwar Kumar in their squad for the fifth and final Twenty20 International (T20I) against West Indies. The veteran fast bowler joins the team as cover for Arshdeep Singh, who is recovering from a shoulder injury, as confirmed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India on Friday. Arshdeep Singh sustained an injury to his bowling shoulder while batting during the fourth T20 International in Hyderabad, forcing him to retire hurt. The incident occurred as West Indies managed to level the five-match series at 2-2. A final decision regarding Arshdeep's availability for the series-deciding match in Bengaluru on Saturday will be made prior to the game. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, aged 36, marks his return to India's T20I setup after an absence of nearly four years. The experienced seamer has also been selected for India's upcoming T20 International series in New Zealand, scheduled to commence on October 22. India has held the lead in the series on two occasions, but centuries from West Indies captain Shai Hope in subsequent matches have brought the series level each time. The second match of the series also witnessed West Indies achieving their highest-ever chase in a T20 International. India had secured a 2-1 victory in the preceding One-Day International series, though Hope's century in the third ODI enabled West Indies to complete a record run chase.

India squad: Shreyas Iyer (c), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson (w), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Naman Dhir, Bhuvneshwar Kumar.