Kuhnemann (5-63) took a second Test "five-fer" in Australia's dominant first innings against Sri Lanka in Galle, showing no signs of the dislocated thumb he suffered playing Big Bash League in mid-January.
Ahead of the first Test, stand-in captain Steve Smith said the team was "gobsmacked" Kuhnemann took only days to recover from surgery and earn a fourth Test cap.
Smith's emotions would have turned to jubilation when Kuhnemann was the most damaging bowler as Australia skittled Sri Lanka for 165 in their first innings in Galle on Saturday.
Stand-in skipper Steve Smith (left) was stunned by Matthew Kuhnemann's rapid recovery. (AP PHOTO)
The left-arm offspinner's heroics allowed Australia to enforce the follow-on for only the sixth time since 2010 and continue to heap pressure on their hosts.
In his first over of the Test, Kuhnemann trapped Sri Lankan opener Oshada Fernando (7) lbw to help Australia pile pressure on the hosts late on day two.
The 28-year-old had a second wicket on a rain-affected third day, with captain Dhananjaya de Silva charging from the crease only to find himself stumped when he missed Kuhnemann's length ball.
Kuhnemann's third wicket was perhaps his most important. The 28-year-old opened the floodgates when Kusal Mendis swept him straight to Todd Murphy at square leg early on day four in sunny Galle.
Sri Lanka would go on to lose 5-9 in 26 balls as Kuhnemann snared two more wickets in the tail.
Australia's Matthew Kuhnemann raises the ball after his five-wicket haul in Galle. (AP PHOTO)
The Sri Lankans' first innings was officially over when Jeffrey Vandersay (4) hit Kuhnemann to Mitch Starc at cover.
The man of the hour has continued to wear padding on the thumb of his non-bowling hand but is feeling fit and enthusiastic at the prospect of more Test cricket.
"I haven't had a problem, so far so good," Kuhnemann said after day three.
"Just playing alongside these blokes, one of the best teams going around in world cricket at the moment, I'm loving it."
Despite the injury threatening to ruin his chances to tour Sri Lanka, Kuhnemann had no regrets about turning out for the Brisbane Heat in the BBL so close to the first Test.
"Not at all," he said.
"It was a bit of a freak accident. The ball didn't get hit that hard back at me. I've had balls hit back a lot harder than that and I've been fine. These things happen."
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