India's decision to recall Bhuvneshwar Kumar into the T20I set-up has added an intriguing dimension to their evolving fast bowling plans. With the five-match T20I series against the West Indies underway, the veteran paceman's inclusion in the squad for the upcoming series against New Zealand was one of the talking points from India's pre-match press conference in Ranchi.
The off-spinner has been away from international T20 cricket for nearly four years, having last represented his country in the format in November 2022, yet the 36-year-old swing bowler has found his way back into the discussion on the back of his stellar displays for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
India assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak gave a brief background on the decision, citing his experience in a relatively young bowling attack and his consistency in the IPL as factors in his recall. His return could be seen as a statement of intent by India to balance their burgeoning investment in young talent with the experience of an international campaigner.
Experience becomes India's priority: Bhuvneshwar Kumar's recall
India's pace bowling attack has seen a steady emergence of young guns in recent times and their exploits have kept the management on tenterhooks. Kotak feels experience is key to India's success, especially with Jasprit Bumrah's injury.
Commenting on his own experience in England, the assistant coach had earlier said,
“One thing is obviously with the selectors, but I can give you an answer based on what I think,” he said during the pre-match press conference in Ranchi. “In England, I personally felt that with Bumrah not being around and a lot of young bowlers playing, you can't beat the experience.”
While the assistant coach feels that the young guns are doing well and earning their place in the team, at times it is the experience that comes to the fore.
“The young bowlers are good; they are performing well and getting selected, but at some stage you also need some experience,” he added.
Bhuvneshwar is likely to bolster India's bowling attack as they prepare to face New Zealand in the upcoming T20I series. His experience and ability to swing the new ball could well come into play, with the conditions in New Zealand expected to suit fast bowling. His recall could also help India's pace bowling attack, which has had to rely on a mix of youth and experience with no one bowler standing out over the others.
IPL magic helps get Bhuvneshwar back into reckoning
While experience alone would not have been enough to see Bhuvneshwar recalled to the squad, his exploits in the IPL this year have also helped his cause. The right-arm fast bowler has been in fabulous form in the shortest format of the game, helping RCB to their back-to-back IPL titles in 2025 and 2026, claiming 45 wickets overall.
This has kept him in the reckoning even as he has been away from the international fold.
Kotak said, “That might be one reason. Another thing is that Bhuvneshwar has been doing really well in the IPL for the last two seasons.”
The assistant coach also admitted that the conditions too would have played a role in Bhuvneshwar's recall, saying,
“So the selectors must have thought that, for New Zealand conditions and all, obviously he has been doing well and we need some experience.”
It is no surprise therefore that Bhuvneshwar has come back into the squad. The selectors clearly felt his experience and recent good form combined with the possible conditions in New Zealand made him the man to recall.
Kotak, however, tempered his comments, saying, “They must have picked him. That's what I can think, unless you can think something different.”
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Mohammed Shami still in the race
With another experienced fast bowler in Bhuvneshwar back in the team, it will be interesting to see how Mohammed Shami fares. The Kolkata leg-spinner has not figured in the T20 side since his last appearance against New Zealand in the Champions final in March 2025. Since then, he has been playing domestic cricket and hoping for a recall, which could come soon as his performances have been good.
However, Kotak, while commenting on Shami's potential recall, said,
“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 can always come in if the selectors feel he is doing.” “If the selectors feel he is doing well and the team has a requirement, then any player can be selected,” he added.
Shami could, therefore, still be in the frame.
India's challenge is to balance the use of their young crop with the experience in the squad, while maintaining the quality in the batting as well. For now, they will look to see out the West Indies and build on their 2-1 series win in the ODIs as they head into the T20Is. Having won the first T20I against the Windies at Hyderabad by eight wickets, India will enter the second T20 at Ranchi as firm favourites.
India has a rich seam of young fast bowlers who have all shown some promise. With Bhuvneshwar's recall and Shami likely to get another shot, it will be interesting to see how the selectors manage the squad. Bhuvneshwar's experience and Shami's explosive pace have both been much needed.
However, it will not be easy for the selectors, as the tight finishes in many of their games have also created a perception in the minds of the fans that it is the experience, and not the selection policy, that has been the problem.
The return of Bhuvneshwar has been a good move by the Indian selectors, as it provides more balance to their attack. This could also be a calculated move, given the upcoming matches against New Zealand.
While India has focused on developing a cadre of young fast bowlers, the return of Bhuvneshwar shows an intent to ensure experience as well. The good form of Bhuvneshwar will also see him hold the mantle as a T20I bowler of choice, especially given his experience and his good performance in the IPL.
The recall also ensures that Shami is given time to recover and be ready for more competitive cricket, without having to rush back.
The comments of Kotak also show that the selectors are aware that while Shami has had a good season, his recovery from injury may require more time. It is, therefore, only a matter of time before Shami is recalled to the T20 World XI squad.