Last Updated: October 18, 2026 03:47 PM
A small detail on a famous bowler’s shirt caught every fan’s eye. It looked odd, and many people wondered what had changed. Here’s the simple story behind that surprising sight for fans. Cricket fans love small stories like this one during a busy season.
The Surprise Jersey Number Change
India’s veteran pacer is wearing No. 78 for the final T20I against the West Indies. His usual shirt number for India has long been No. 15.
Gurnoor Brar already took the No. 15 shirt after his India debut. So the older bowler needed a new number for this comeback. Reports say that is the main reason for this shirt switch.
Jersey numbers matter a lot to many cricketers around the world. Brar joined India’s squad in 2026 as a promising young fast bowler.
Why Bhuvneshwar Kumar Changed His Jersey No. to 78
Two players in one squad cannot wear the same shirt number. That simple fact explains why the swing bowler took a fresh number. The 36-year-old veteran picked No. 78 for this comeback match.
Many fans enjoyed the fresh look on a very familiar face. A new number does not change his skill or his experience. He remains one of India’s best swing bowlers of the last decade.
How Bhuvneshwar Kumar Returned After Nearly Four Years
Bhuvneshwar is 36 years old and last played for India in November 2022. Selectors had named him in India’s T20I squad for the New Zealand tour. He then joined the West Indies squad as a late replacement.
Arshdeep Singh took a blow to his bowling shoulder in the fourth T20I. The BCCI added Bhuvneshwar for the series decider in Bengaluru. That match was played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on October 17.
His strong IPL form with Royal Challengers Bengaluru helped his comeback. He also helped RCB win the 2025 IPL title with 17 wickets. The gap lasted almost four years, which is a very long time.
His Last Match for India Before This Comeback
Bhuvneshwar last played for India in a T20I against New Zealand in Napier. That match took place in November 2022 at McLean Park. It ended in a tie under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method after rain.
New Zealand scored 160 after batting first in that match. Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj took four wickets each for India. Bhuvneshwar himself did not take a wicket in that game.
Now fans hope he can create fresh memories in his new shirt this season.
