Bhuvneshwar Kumar's India return: Sitanshu Kotak explains reason behind T20I call-up

EXPERIENCE MATTERS

“One thing is obviously with the selectors, but I can give you an answer based on what I think,” Kotak said at the pre-match media interaction in Ranchi.

“In England, I personally felt that with Bumrah not being around and a lot of young bowlers playing, you can’t beat experience.“

The absence of Jasprit Bumrah during that England assignment appears to have reinforced Kotak’s belief that a young bowling group can benefit from the presence of a seasoned campaigner.

“The young bowlers are good, they are performing well and getting selected, but at some stage you also need some experience,” he said.

That experience, however, is not the only reason Bhuvneshwar has been brought back. His performances in the IPL have also strengthened his case, with the pacer continuing to produce at the highest level of domestic T20 cricket.

“That might be one reason. Another thing is that Bhuvneshwar has been doing really well in the IPL for the last two seasons,” Kotak said.

“So the selectors must have thought that, for New Zealand conditions and all, obviously he has been doing well and we need some experience.”

Bhuvneshwar’s return therefore appears to be a combination of two factors: the consistency he has shown in the IPL and the experience he can bring to a bowling unit that continues to develop its next generation of fast bowlers.

“They must have picked him. That’s what I can think, unless you can think something different,” Kotak added.

SHAMI STILL IN THE MIX

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.

The Bengal pacer remains an experienced option for India, but Kotak was careful not to speculate about what the selectors may do next.

“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,” Kotak said.

The assistant coach left the door open for Shami, suggesting that his performances will continue to be considered alongside the team’s requirements.

“If the selectors feel that he is doing well and the team has a requirement, then any player can be selected,” he added.

INDIA LOOK TO EXTEND RUN

While the discussions around Bhuvneshwar and Shami dominated parts of the press conference, India’s immediate focus remains on the West Indies and extending their impressive winning run.

India are on a 10-match winning streak after opening the five-match T20I series against West Indies with an emphatic eight-wicket victory.

Having already won the preceding ODI series 2-1, India will look to carry that momentum into the second T20I in Ranchi and take another step towards another series victory.

However, Kotak stressed that India’s pursuit of results will not come at the expense 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.”

India’s depth has been one of the defining features of their recent success, with opportunities increasingly being handed to players who could become important parts of the team in the future.

However, Kotak acknowledged that giving those opportunities can sometimes come at the expense of more established names.

“But when you give chances to new players, some experienced players will miss out,” he said.

“Somewhere, if the opposition also plays well and it becomes a close match, at that time you feel that you are winning.”

For now, India’s immediate focus is on the West Indies, with the second T20I in Ranchi offering another chance to extend their winning run while continuing to assess their options for the future. The Bhuvneshwar debate can wait, but his return has certainly added another intriguing dimension to India’s evolving T20I plans.

– Ends

Source link