Team India assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak has talked about the inclusion of experienced pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar in India’s T20I squad for the upcoming series on the tour of New Zealand.
India is set to tour New Zealand for five T20Is, five ODIs, and two Test matches, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who last played for India in 2022, is also in New Zealand and was picked for the 20-over assignments.
This came on the back of 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 had taken 45 wickets across two seasons, with 17 scalps in 2025 and 28 wickets in 2026.
Kotak speculated that the selectors might have felt compelled to give an otherwise youthful bowling group more experience.
"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 West Indies in Ranchi.
"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 something different,” Kotak stated.
In the same interaction, Kotak was also asked about Mohammad Shami, who remains outside the current setup despite consistently performing in the domestic circuit. Shami had last played for India in their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 win.
Kotak, however, distanced himself from any speculation over the veteran Bengal pacer's possible return.
"First of all, I'm not a selector, so it is difficult for me to tell you that. But Shami is also playing, and he is also doing well. If the selectors feel that he is doing well and the team has a requirement, then any player can be selected,” Kotak said.
(PTI inputs)
