Veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar is back in the Indian team, and former head coach Ravi Shastri believes the experienced pacer could play an important role in New Zealand. With Jasprit Bumrah rested for the upcoming five-match T20I series, Bhuvneshwar is expected to lead India’s pace attack alongside Arshdeep Singh.
The 36-year-old from Meerut was named in India’s T20I squad on October 6 for the New Zealand tour, which begins on October 22 at Hagley Oval. Before the team travels for the series, Bhuvneshwar also featured in India’s playing XI for the fifth T20I against the West Indies on October 17. However, rain washed out the match, leaving him without an opportunity to bowl.
Bhuvneshwar, the only fast bowler to have taken more than 200 wickets in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has plenty of experience in international cricket. Shastri believes that experience could prove valuable in New Zealand.
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Ravi Shastri Explains Why Bhuvneshwar Kumar Will Be Important in New Zealand
Shastri welcomed Bhuvneshwar’s return to the Indian side and backed him to perform well in conditions that could suit his bowling.
“There is no substitute for experience,” Shastri was quoted as saying by The Times of India.
“When you have a bowler of Bhuvneshwar’s quality and experience, it’s a no-brainer. With the form he showed in the IPL and his years with India, he’ll be ideal for New Zealand conditions,” he added.
Bhuvneshwar’s ability to swing the new ball and make good use of movement could make him an important option for India during the series. With Bumrah unavailable, his experience will also be valuable in guiding the pace attack.
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While Bhuvneshwar has returned to the Indian team, Mohammed Shami is still waiting for another opportunity at the international level. Shastri, however, believes the Bengal fast bowler has done enough to earn a recall in both Test and limited-overs cricket.
“He’s done enough with both red and white balls to be recalled to the Test and ODI sides,” Shastri said.
Shami's last outing for India
Shami last played for India in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Earlier in the tournament, he produced an impressive performance against Bangladesh, taking a five-wicket haul in India’s opening group match.
The experienced pacer has continued to make his case through domestic cricket. He picked up four wickets in Bengal’s opening match of the 2026-27 Ranji Trophy season, but was not included in India’s squad for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand.
Shami’s last Test appearance for India came in the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval in London.