When you make a comeback to the Indian cricket team after four years at the age of 36, that too as a specialist pacer, there is bound to be a buzz. The same is the case with Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The veteran pacer last played for India in November 2022. He will again be seen in action in the blue jersey starting this month against New Zealand. Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s vast experience, coupled with his strong IPL form over the past two seasons, has led to his recall to India’s T20I squad for the New Zealand series, assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak said in Ranchi on Wednesday.
The 36-year-old veteran pacer, who last played for India during the November 2022 series against New Zealand, has earned a well-deserved return to the national side after impressive performances for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL, having played a key role in RCB’s back-to-back title triumphs in 2025 and 2026. Bhuvneshwar took 45 wickets across the two seasons (17 in 2025 and 28 in 2026).
India will face New Zealand in a T20I series after the ongoing five-match engagement against the West Indies, and Kotak suggested that the selectors may have felt the need to add experience to an otherwise young bowling group.
“One thing is obviously with the selectors, but I can give you an answer based on what I think. In England, I personally felt that with Bumrah not being around and a lot of young bowlers playing, you can’t beat experience,” Kotak said at the pre-match media interaction ahead of the second T20I against the West Indies.
“The young bowlers are good, they are performing well and getting selected, but at some stage you also need some experience.
“That might be one reason. Another thing is that Bhuvneshwar has been doing really well in the IPL for the last two seasons. So the selectors must have thought that, for New Zealand conditions and all, obviously he has been doing well and we need some experience.
“They must have picked him. That’s what I can think, unless you can think of something different.”
What About Mohammed Shami?
Bhuvneshwar’s return has also revived questions over Mohammed Shami, who remains outside the current T20I set-up despite continuing to play domestic cricket.
Shami last played for India in the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand in March 2025 and has since been working his way back through domestic cricket, producing encouraging performances.
Kotak, however, distanced himself from any speculation over the veteran Bengal pacer’s possible return.
“First of all, I am not a selector, so it is difficult for me to tell you that. But Shami is also playing and he is also doing well,” he said.
“If the selectors feel that he is doing well and the team has a requirement, then any player can be selected.”
Another talking point has been the reported decision to involve VVS Laxman in selection meetings, particularly in communicating injury-related updates between the team management and selectors.
Kotak said he was unaware of the specifics of the new arrangement but backed Laxman’s commitment to Indian cricket, having worked with him at the Centre of Excellence.
“Honestly, I don’t know. I also came to know about what you just said from you. If any injury-related update is to be communicated by Laxman sir, I believe the decision taken by the BCCI will be purposeful,” he said.
“I worked with Laxman for three years at the Centre of Excellence. He is very particular. When I was there, he used to tell us that if the Indian team has any requirement, our first duty is to fulfil it.
“Sometimes we used to take leave to go home, but if an Indian player was important and the Indian team wanted him immediately, he would tell us to release him for a week or two. That is how committed he is.
“So, whatever role he plays, I am sure he will think about what is best for Indian cricket.”
VVS-Gauti in regular touch
Kotak also said there was already regular communication between head coach Gautam Gambhir and Laxman, suggesting that the reported arrangement would not necessarily alter the existing interaction between the team and the former India batter.
“I personally have no idea. But I do know that Gautam and Laxman always stay in touch. I have that much idea about them,” he said.
“As for the other things, I don’t know. If there is any need, Gautam speaks to Laxman. That is a normal procedure, which I have always seen. So there is nothing new in that.”
India are on a 10-match winning streak after opening the five-match T20I series against the West Indies with an emphatic eight-wicket victory.
Having already won the preceding ODI series 2-1, India chased down the West Indies’ 171 in under 15 overs in Lucknow, with captain Shreyas Iyer smashing an unbeaten hundred.
But Kotak said India’s winning run would not come at the cost of developing their bench strength.
“To be honest, when you test your bench, if you win, the process continues. If you lose, there is a very thin line between maintaining that balance,” he said.
“But obviously, we try and do that. The promising players we have, the way the BCCI runs the system and the way our bench strength is developing, even if two or three of our teams were to play, they would look strong.
“But when you give chances to new players, some experienced players will miss out. Somewhere, if the opposition also plays well and it becomes a close match, at that time you feel that winning is important.
“But it is a process. Whenever we get a chance, we should give opportunities to young players and good players for future bench strength.”
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